The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the way in which the world's media is displaying gruesome images of the dead body of former Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi. This triumphalism is an example of imperialist barbarism at its worst.

COSATU condemns all dictatorships, including that of Gadaffi, but the only force which has the right to overthrow his dictatorial regime is the Libyan people and not the military might of imperialist powers whose sole concern is to safeguard and promote their economic interests in this oil-rich country.

Justice demands that Gadaffi should have been charged in the International Court of Justice, where evidence of human rights abuses could have been presented, not summarily executed in what can only be described as cold-blooded murder.

The federation supports a democratic Libya and demands that free and fair elections be held as soon as possible.

Statement issued by Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson, October 21 2011

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