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Tripoli, 10 February . . .[restrict]2013:
Canada has responded to the government’s own concerns about justice by pledging support for Libya’s development of the rule of law and respect for human rights.
“Canada commends the Government of Libya,” said Canada’s Ambassador to Libya Michael Grant. “We will continue to assist Libya in addressing its current challenges, such as ensuring respect for minorities, including religious minorities, and in moving forward on the path of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
This follows Libyan Justice Minister Salah Marghani’s comments last week regretting the slow progress made by the government to date.
The Ministry, Marghani said, expressed “grave concern” about human rights abuses documented by Human Rights Watch in their 2012 World Report and promised to take measures aimed at “ending or drastically reducing such unacceptable practices.”
Grant said that he welcomed Marghani’s statement. He acknowledged the government was “grappling with a difficult set of challenges” including securing stockpiled weapons, drafting a new constitution and promoting human rights and national reconciliation.
“I welcome the statement by Libya’s Justice Minister indicating that his Ministry is under no illusions about the challenges of its declared mission to turn Libya into a country that operates according to the rule of law and respect for human rights,” Grant said.
“This is an important step for Libya, and Canada looks forward to working with the government and its people in the future,” he added. [/restrict]
