The African Jurists Association (AJA) on Monday expressed concern about the escalation of violence and the gross violation and abuse of human rights in Libya. At this critical stage, the sovereignty of Libya and the citizenry should be saved and protected at all costs, the Association said. In a statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Frank Yao Badohu, Vice President and Director of the International Executive Secretariat, called on the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to act now to stop the carnage in Libya. "Sanctions are not enough. Civil war beyond that of Iraq should be prevented by collective action now," the statement insisted. The Association also called on all factions involved in the conflict to respect the cardinal principles of the sanctity of human rights and human values. "The AJA challenges the AU in particular to rise up to the occasion as the torchbearer and act now", it added. The AJA is an organisation preoccupied with the protection of human rights and human development in Africa and the world. Source: GNA