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Tuesday, 10 September 2013:
Amnesty International has demanded the Libyan authorities drop charges immediately against a man for having participated in protests . . .[restrict]in London on 28 June 2011 against military intervention in Libya. It says the charges violate the right to freedom of expression and assembly.
Moad al-Hnesh is due in court in Zawia tomorrow charged with crimes against the state because of his activities in the United Kingdom during the 2011 revolution. If found guilty he could face a life sentence, the organisation says.
“That a young man could face life in prison for expressing political opinions deemed unacceptable by those in power begs the question of whether Libya has changed since the Qaddafi era,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“Libya adopted a constitutional declaration that guarantees freedom of expression two years ago. But instead of repealing draconian legislation used by the former regime to imprison opponents of Qaddafi, the new authorities are abusing the very same laws to stifle dissent.”
“Expressing political views, however objectionable or at odds with the majority, is an essential human right which should not depend on who is in power.”
Hnesh has been charged under Article 178 of the Penal Code with publishing false information on the internal situation in Libya and participating in pro-Qaddafi demonstrations in London. The code criminalises the activities of Libyans abroad against the interests of the state and carries a life sentence. Amnesty adds he could face a further 15 years in jail under Article 195 for “publicly insulting the Libyan people” after describing Libya’s revolutionaries as “rats”. The organisation says the charges should be dropped.
The 34-year old engineer is further accused of threatening fellow Libyan students in Britain who opposed Qaddafi with detention upon their return to Libya. Amnesty has said that in this case “it is essential that his right to a fair trial is scrupulously respected to avoid any perception of political bias”.
He was arrested at the beginning of April last year after a group of Libyan students who had met him at university in Britain filed a complaint against him with the Zawia Military Council. His trial began on 30 May 2012. As with all other cases in Libya, it has been adjourned several times.
“The Libyan government should immediately amend or repeal all laws arbitrarily restricting freedom of expression. It must demonstrate that it has broken with the legacy of repression and impunity and is serious about upholding human rights,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said. [/restrict]
