Violating women’s right to freedom of movement is an insult to Libyan women and a contravention of the constitution and law

Joint statement on discriminatory measures restricting women’s travel in Libya

Libya, 13 May 2023 We, the undersigned activists and civil society organizations, express our strong condemnation of the discriminatory measures imposed by the Internal Security Agency of Libya’s National Unity Government on women’s freedom of movement. 

These discriminatory measures mean that every Libyan woman traveling alone is required to complete an official declaration providing: her reasons for travel, an explanation of why she is traveling alone, and details of her travel history. This procedure constitutes a violation of women’s constitutional right to freedom of movement.

As we look forward to the effective participation of Libyan women in the upcoming national elections, this regressive policy represents policymaking based on discrimination, violence, and persecution against women, reinforcing the dominance and repression of the security system over the country.

 This discriminatory measure violates the principle of equality enshrined in the Temporary Constitutional Declaration of 2011 (Article 6, Article 14) and Article 31 of the Political Agreement.

Article (6)

Libyans shall be equal before the law. They shall enjoy equal civil and political rights, shall have the same opportunities, and be subject to the same public duties and obligations, without discrimination due to religion, sect, language, wealth, sex, kinship, political opinions, social status, and tribal, provincial or familial affiliation.

Article (14)

Freedom of opinion for individuals and groups, freedom of scientific research, freedom of communication, liberty of the press, printing, publication and mass media, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of demonstration and freedom of peaceful sit-in shall be guaranteed by the State in accordance with the law.

Article (31)
All Libyan, males and females, shall have the right to free movement throughout Libya, and the right
to travel abroad via any of the airports, maritime ports or land crossings. No action shall be taken
with the intention to restrict anyone’s freedom of movement except in accordance with the Libyan
legislations in force and based on the orders of the competent judicial authorities. Libyan Political Agreemen

Grave violation of all international covenants and agreements on human and women’s rights that Libya

It is also in conflict with Libyan legislation that guarantees women’s right to movement and travel as full citizens with all the guarantees of citizenship. Moreover, this measure constitutes a grave violation of all international covenants and agreements on human and women’s rights that Libya has ratified, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and other binding international standards protecting the rights of “equality, freedom of movement, residence, and travel.”

Article I

For the purposes of the present Convention, the term “discrimination against women” shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.

Respect women’s rights to non-discrimination 

In this context, we signatories condemn the specious arguments put forward by some female members of the House of Representatives in written statements justifying the measures in terms of supposed vulnerability and susceptibility of women to becoming victims of fraud and the exceptional circumstances the country is going through. As the country prepares for an upcoming election under delicate circumstances, there is an urgent need to create suitable conditions for free and fair elections, ensuring the basic rights of all individuals, including the right to freedom of movement, travel, and peaceful assembly. This is to renew political legitimacy, achieve the desired stability, and begin building a state of institutions and the law, based on the rights of citizenship and non-discrimination.

This discriminatory law must be repealed immediately 

 We demand that the National Unity government immediately repeal this discriminatory decision, which humiliates Libyan women and represents a regression and violation of the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed constitutionally, legally, and internationally, and ensure the adoption of measures that preserve national security and safeguard the dignity of Libyan women.

#WomensRightsAreHumanRights

◤ Signatories:

–  The Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace

–  Adala for All Association

–  Libya Future Center for Media and Culture

–  Defender Center for Human Rights

–  WASHM Organization

–  Nawazi Organization for Gender Studies

–  Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

–  Aman Against Discrimination

–  Karama International Organization

–  Tafarud Empowerment Organization

–  Amazonat Organization

–  Solidarity Organization to advocate for Women’s Issues

◤ Individuals:

1.  Zahra’ Langhi, Co-founder & CEO of the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace, member of the Political Dialogue Forum

2.  Umm Al-Ezz Al-Farsi, a member of the Political Dialogue Forum, a faculty member at the University of Benghazi

3.  Salah Al-Marghani, human rights activist and former Minister of Justice

4.  Hassan Al-Amin, editor-in-chief of Libya Al-Mustaqbal

5.  Bashir Zoabieh, editor-in-chief of Al-Wasat

6.  Amal Al-Obaidi, a university professor

7.  Ikram Bash Imam, President of the Libyan Women Engineers Association and former Minister of Tourism

8.  Wafia Saif Al-Nasr, member of the Political Dialogue Forum

9.  Fayrouz Abd al-Rahim al-Naas, politician and academic

10.  Aida Salem Al-Kibti, writer and the first female anchor on Libyan television during the independence period)

11.  Razan Naim al-Maghrabi, writer

12.  Farida Al-Allaqi, human rights activist and former Libyan ambassador to the European Union

13.  Naima Jibril, former head of the Benghazi Court and a member of the Political Dialogue Committee in Skhirat

14.  Amina Al-Maghirbi, an academic and former member of the General National Congress  (GNC)

15.  Ibtisam Bahih, an academic and member of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly

16.  Fatima Shanib, a lawyer at the Public Defender’s Department in Benghazi

17.  Hala Ahmed Al-Atrash, a faculty member at the Faculty of Law, University of Benghazi

18.  Lamia Sharaf Al-Din, a faculty member at the University of Tripoli

19.  Fatima Ghandoura, a university professor and media personality

20.  Hanan Saad Yaqa, a human rights activist and president of the Tawergha Women’s Union

21.  Farida Muhammad Al-Zalitani, a human rights activist

22.  Jazia Shaiter, a legal and human rights activist

23.  Abeer Amnina, academic and head of WASHM organization

24.  Marwa Salem, a feminist activist

25.  Ahmed Al-Jahani, an international economist and legal expert, former Minister of Stability in the Executive Office

26.  Muhammad Buisir, a politician interested in public affairs

27.  Zahi al-Maghirbi, academic

28.  Najeeb Al-Hasadi, academic

29.  Nujood Langhi, a researcher and human rights activist, founding member at LWPP

30.  Enas, Sodouh, a civil activist

31.  Israa, a professional researcher

32.  Hala Salem Al-Misrati, a human rights activist, Solidarity Organization for the Advocacy of Women’s Issues

33.  Tahani Farhat Darbi, a journalist

34.  Ali Al-Abani, an artist

35.  Khaled Mutawa, a Libyan poet and writer

36.  Reem Jibril, an artist

37.  Hadia Kana, an artist

38.  Ehda Ibrahim Makraz, media activist and faculty member at the University of Benghazi

39.  Asmaa Sriba, a former representative of the General National Congress

40.  Jamila Falaq, a civil activist and former Minister of Women’s Affairs

41.  Mabrouka Al-Mismari, a media activist and a founding member of the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace

42.  Zakia Muhammad al-Ta’eb, a women’s rights activist

43.  Hajar Al-Hunaid, a scout leader

44.  Asmaa Dikna – a human rights activist

45.  Maysoon Saleh, media activist

46.  ​​Hind Saleh Al-Bishari, President and founder of Tafarud Empowerment Organization

47.  Lam’an Muhammad Buisir, media activist

48.  Ayat Amneena, a civil activist

49.  Haneen Bouchoucha, a feminist activist

50.  Nahla Al-Mahdi Al-Misawi, journalist

51.  Khadija Al-Baseikri, a poet and activist in the field of women’s rights

52.  Fatima Omar Hawass, a human rights activist

53.  Basma Al-Werfalli, a civil activist

54.  Mansour Ati, journalist and civil society activist.

55.  Khadija Ramadan Al-Amami, a journalist. 

56.  Iman Ben Younes, a legal expert and former state minister for institutional restructuring

57.  Azza Omar Bugendoura, an academic 

58.  Libya Idris Al-Mismari, media activist

59.  Hala Awad Lanqi, an academic

60.  Hanan Al-Maqoub, a civil and media activist

61.  Amal Al-Dilawi, an entrepreneur

62.  Rima Saleh Al-Juraidi, an academic

63.  Al-Sharif Al-Wafi Muhammad Ali, former General National Congress (GNC) member and a Presidential Candidate

64.  Asaad Mohsin Zhiyu, presidential candidate

65.  Fathallah al-Senussi al-Mahdi al-Jadi, writer and diplomat

66.  Ahmed Al-Abbar, former member of the National Transitional Council

67.  Ahmed Al-Sharkasi, member of the Political Dialogue Forum

68.  Malak Al-Hannushi, a civil activist

69.  Hana Shalouf, a civil activist and a member of the Peacemakers team

70.  Mabrouka Jibril, a civil activist and scout leader

71.  Nada Al-Sharif, a member of the scout team and the girls’ team at the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace

72.  Mason Tuger, an economist

73.  Wajd Al-Saedi, a civil activist

74.  Khalil Al-Hassi, a media activist

75.  Hazem Al-Ferjani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Barah Cultural Organization

76.  Nouran Al-Arabi, human rights activist – Executive Director of the Libyan Debating Club

77.  Tazeer Al-Omrani, media activist and human rights activist

78.  Hind Al-Hunaid, a civil activist and scout leader

79.  Areej Khattab, a faculty member at the University of Al-Bayda

80.  Rima Ateeqa, a civil activist

81.  Ahmed Wanis al-Makki, writer and political activist

82.  Haitham Al-Keeb, former UN/ESCWA advisor

83.  Ashour Hamad Burashid, Libyan politician and former Representative of Libya at the League of Arab States

84.  Ahmed Mohamed Faraj Amtir, an employee at the Diplomatic Institute / Benghazi

85.  Basma Faraj Al-Tawati, a civil activist

86.  Thuraya Muhammad Ali, a civil activist

87.  Haifa Salem Al-Baili, media personality

88.  d.  Ali Maasdnah Idriss, a medical doctor and former ambassador

89.  Abdul Wahab Qringo, writer and journalist

90.  Rabih al-Jiyash, a human rights activist

91.  Abdullah Zaqoub, a writer

92.  Moatasem Muhammad Dakhil, a civil activist and a member of the Revolutionary Youth Commission

93.  Rehab Shanib, poet and civil activist

94.   Amani Khattab, faculty member

95.  Sabreen Hussein Muhammad, a civil activist

96.  Rania Al-Issawi, a civil activist

97.  Bushra Atluba, civil activist and trainer

98.  Suad Al-Shuwaidi, an artist and civil activist

99.  Muhammad al-Majbari, researcher and civil activist

100.  Sari Al-Fitouri, head of Tajard Organization for Architecture and Arts

101.  Farida Al-Farsi, a civil activist

102.  Huda Khashim, writer

103.  Nafie Al-Tashani, translator

104.  Dalila Al-Zoghbi, human rights activist – Amnesty International

105.  Heba Al-Raz, Executive Director of Atfaluna Organization

106.  Manal Al-Hamshari, journalist 107.  Enas Daou, a feminist activist

108.  Sama Al-Boaishi, civil activist, Maken Foundation

109.  Alaa Harib, a civil activist

110.  Iman Ben Amer, journalist and photographer

111.  Maryam Al-Abani, artist

112.  Hajar Halab, human rights activist – TALSA Organization

113.  Omar El-Haddad, content manager at Alwasat

114.  Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, lawyer, former vice president of the National Transitional Council

115.  Amina Khairallah Al-Hassih, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Change Forum

116.  Naji Shuaib Al-Obeidi, member of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Benghazi

117.  Suad Ibrahim bin Khalifa, civil society activist and trainer at the Libyan Korean Center

118. Mona Abdel Razek Zoghbiyeh, lawyer and parliamentary candidate

119. Marwan Al-Tashani, human rights activist and researcher