Carr proposes apology to Libya over detention

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has proposed that an apology from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Libya might smooth the way for the release of detained ICC staff, including Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has proposed that an apology from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Libya might smooth the way for the release of detained ICC staff, including Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor. Photo: Reuters

FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr has told the chief of the International Criminal Court an official apology to Libya might smooth the way for the release of the Australian lawyer held on suspicion of espionage.

In a 20-minute telephone call with ICC president Sang-Hyun Song, Senator Carr suggested last night the international court apologise for inadequate consultation with Libya over the defence of Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam. But human rights activists warned the proposal could harm the authority of the international court.

Australian woman Melinda Taylor, a defence counsel with the international court, has been held in the north-west city Zintan for the past fortnight, accused of passing coded messages to Saif. Prime Minister Julia Gillard raised Ms Taylor’s case with Italian PM Mario Monti, hoping Italy’s historic ties to Libya would hold some sway.

Senator Carr made a six-hour visit to Libya, pressing Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib to release Ms Taylor and offering Australia as an intermediary to air Libya’s concerns with the international court.

He told ABC radio the onus was on the ICC to lay out clear protocols and procedures before it sent lawyers to Libya.

But Amnesty International’s Widney Brown said the detention was ”illegitimate, she should be released immediately and there should be no need to apologise”. With

JESSICA WRIGHT

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