Tripoli: Presidential Council member Abdullah Al-Lafi has reiterated the Council’s unwavering commitment to advancing the comprehensive national reconciliation process in Libya. He emphasized the strengthening of the human rights system and the establishment of a new social contract that prioritizes respect for freedoms and equality, crucial for creating a just state where every citizen feels protected and fairly treated by the law.
According to Libyan News Agency, Al-Lafi delivered these remarks during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Justice to mark the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He highlighted Libya’s recognition that stability is unattainable without justice and that justice is inseparable from rights. He warned that neglecting human rights leads to division and conflict, whereas respecting rights is essential for achieving civil peace, development, and stability.
Al-Lafi underscored that safeguarding freedoms, providing redress for victims, and preventing impunity are critical conditions for the success of any political process or national reconciliation. He stressed the centrality of addressing the issues of victims, martyrs, and missing persons within the national reconciliation framework.
He further stated that the rule of law requires an independent judiciary, disciplined security institutions, and legislation that protects citizens from abuse while guaranteeing equality without discrimination. Al-Lafi clarified that freedom should not be mistaken for chaos but should serve as the framework for societal correction and state legitimacy.
The Presidential Council member affirmed the inherent equality and freedom of all individuals before the law, emphasizing that this principle is foundational to modern justice systems. He declared that human dignity is a preeminent principle guiding all authorities and institutions, preceding both the state and legal frameworks.
International Human Rights Day, Al-Lafi noted, serves as an occasion to renew commitments to human values foundational to civil peace and the rule of law. It also provides an opportunity to assess institutional progress and advance the paths of rights and freedoms in alignment with citizens’ aspirations and the requirements of a modern state.