Last week, Libya’s Tripoli-based Home Affairs Minister, Emad Trabelsi announced plans for new Islamic laws that will make the wearing of the hijab for women as compulsory. He also announced the re-introduction of morality police and strict gender laws for women.
Amnesty International has condemned these plans saying that:
“The Minister of Interior’s threats to crack down on fundamental freedoms in the name of ‘morality’ are a dangerous escalation in the already suffocating levels of repression facing those in Libya not adhering to dominant social norms. Proposals to impose compulsory veiling on women and girls as young as nine, restrict interactions between men and women, and police young people’s personal choices with regards to hairstyles and clothing are not only deeply alarming, but also violate Libya’s obligations under international law.”
In a press conference, the Interior Minister also announced that men and women who are not related to each other should not be interacting together in public and said that these laws will come to effect as of next month.
It’s unclear whether the Interior Minister has made the announcement on his behalf or whether he has the backing of the government in Tripoli.
Newsroom
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