2011 Libyan rape allegations

The 2011 Libyan rape allegations refer to a series of allegations that arose in April 2011 that loyalist forces in Libya were mass raping rebels. Additional allegations also arose that Viagra and other impotency drugs were being distributed by Gaddafi to sustain the rapes. The charges have been denied by Libyan diplomats as propaganda.

In June 2011, the ICC began an investigation into the rape allegations seeking to add the rapes to Gaddafi's list of war crimes charges. Amnesty international, Human Rights Watch and Doctors Without Borders failed to find first-hand evidence that mass rapes were occurring, this was confirmed by the UN's investigator, M. Cherif Bassiouni. The emphasis of these charges in the media has raised criticism that the allegations are obscuring other war crimes.

United States
United States secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has noted that "rape, physical intimidation, sexual harassment, and even so-called 'virginity tests' have taken place in countries throughout the region." Secretary Clinton has also stated that "It is an affront to all people who are yearning to live in a society free from violence with respect for basic human rights. We urge all governments to conduct immediate, transparent investigations into these allegations, and to hold accountable those found responsible."