Tripoli, 14 May
Describing it is a “shameful duplication of the past”, a former revolutionary minister of justice has joined the chorus . . .[restrict]of protest against Law 37, the so-called “glorification” legislation that makes it an offence punishable by up to life imprisonment to say or do anything in praise of the Qaddafi regime.
Mohammed Allagi, who is now president of the National Council for Civil Liberties and Human Rights has protested that the law violates freedom of speech: “It is an obvious violation of public rights of freedom and human rights”, he said, adding, “It is a dangerous set back and a shameful duplication of the past. ”
Allagi’s organisation now joins the Lawyers for Justice in Libya as a local source of profound criticism for te glorification law, as well as Law 38 which grants an amnesty to anyone who committed crimes during the revolution. Both piece of legislation have also been strongly condemned by Human Right Watch, as being illiberal, too broadly drawn and inexact its its intentions.
A month ago Allagi formed the Party of Free Libyans, which he said would focus on the rights of young women and the young. [/restrict]
