Rights group puts Libya crackdown death toll at 24

Protesters went out on the streets Thursday against strongman Moamer Kadhafi.

Libyan security forces killed at least 24 people in a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations during a “Day of Anger” against strongman Moamer Kadhafi,Human Rights Watch said today.

The New York-based rights group,citing witnesses,said 24 protesters were killed and scores injured during yesterday’s assaults on protests in two Libyan cities.

“The authorities should cease the use of lethal force unless absolutely necessary to protect lives and open an independent investigation into the lethal shootings,” HRW said in a statement.

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The worst violence hit the eastern city of Al-Baida where hospital staff put a call out yesterday for additional medical supplies to treat 70 injured protestors,half in critical condition,said the rights group.

One injured protester sitting near the hospital’s intensive care unit told Human Rights Watch that security forces had used live ammunition to deter protesters,fatally shooting 16 of them and wounding dozens others.

In Benghazi,hundreds of lawyers,activists,and other protesters gathered on the steps of the court calling for a constitution and respect for the rule of law.

A protester told Human Rights Watch that groups of men in street clothes armed with knives,later joined by internal security forces,charged into the crowd to disperse the demonstration.

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He said he believed security forces had shot dead at least 17,HRW said,adding that it was able to confirm eight of those deaths.

“The security forces’ vicious attacks on peaceful demonstrators lay bare the reality of Muammar Gaddafi’s brutality when faced with any internal dissent,” said Sarah Leah Whitson,Middle East and North Africa director at HRW.

“Libyans should not have to risk their lives to make a stand for their rights as human beings,” she said.