Experts from the United Nations have publicly condemned the Libyan government’s policy, implemented nearly three months ago, that prohibits women from traveling abroad without a male companion. The measure, quietly enacted by the government of Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, based in Tripoli and sharing power with a parallel government in eastern Libya, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about women’s rights.
Under this new rule, reportedly influenced by Islamist groups in Tripoli, women and girls are required to have a male companion, known as a “mahram,” and must fill out a detailed form specifying the reasons for their travel. Those who refuse to comply are banned from leaving the country.
Despite being required to explain the measure to UN experts within 60 days, the government failed to do so, leading the UN experts to publicly denounce the “discriminatory policy against women that violates their fundamental rights and freedoms.”
In response to the UN’s condemnation, Zahara Langui, the executive director of the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace and a human rights advocate, called for an end to all forms of harassment and discrimination against women by the security forces. She emphasized the need for the Libyan government to withdraw this discriminatory decree, which contradicts the country’s own laws and violates women’s rights.
The UN experts have urged the Tripoli government to revoke this discriminatory policy, sending a clear message against the government’s actions and demanding respect for women’s rights in the country.
Afaf Al Fahchouch