Tripoli:The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that a significant step has been taken towards providing greater legal protection for civil society organizations in Libya. A final draft of a law has been agreed upon by Libyan lawmakers, legal experts, and human rights activists, which aims to enable these organizations to operate independently and effectively.
According to Libyan News Agency, the agreement was reached during a two-day discussion forum held in Tunisia. This event was organized by the Human Rights Division of UNSMIL and included participants such as members of the House of Representatives, former Libyan Minister of Justice Salah al-Marghani, and representatives from various organizations, including the National Council for Freedoms and Human Rights, the Libyan Platform coalition, and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.
Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs, emphasized the UN mission's role in facilitating dialogue and providing technical assistance. She encouraged participants to focus on practical outcomes and wished them success in their collaborative efforts. The forum resulted in the finalization of the draft law and established a pathway for its submission to the House of Representatives after thorough review sessions in Geneva and Tunis.
UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero was actively involved in the process and committed to continuous monitoring and technical support to ensure the legislation meets international standards for freedom of association. Kholoud Najm, a human rights officer with the UN mission, highlighted the importance of this commitment in fostering a safe and independent environment for Libyan civil society organizations, which is crucial for public participation and political inclusivity, including credible elections.