Concern about growing dangers for Libyan journalists

Read in Arabic (بالعربية) Reporters Without Borders is becoming increasingly concerned about the repeated threats and attacks that Libyan journalists are receiving in connection with their work. Mansour Ati, the editor of Akhbar Ajdabiya, an independent newspaper based in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, was forced to apologize to the religious affairs ministry last month for publishing a poem by Mohammed Al-Shaltami that is regarded as an “apostasy.” He was finally forced to resign after many threats from armed groups believed to be linked to the Ansar Al-Sharia militia. A few days later, the newspaper’s officers were attacked and badly ransacked by presumed members of this militia. Employees of the government TV station Libya Al-Wataniya have been on strike since the start of the month after one of its employees was attacked by a member of the militia tasked with protecting the station. The employees are demanding protection by the police or even the army, rather than pro-government militias. Abdelfath Ibrahim Al-Darbi, the CEO of Al-Assima TV, has reported receiving threats in the past few days which, he believes, come from the same people who attacked the TV station’s premises last month. They have threatened to hunt him down in Kuwait or Jordan, two countries where he also has residency. Amara Hassan Al-Khitabi, the 67-year-old editor of the independent newspaper Al-Umma, has been detained since 19 December in Tripoli, where criminal charges have been brought against him for publishing a list of allegedly corrupt judges and prosecutors. He was recently transferred to a Tripoli hospital but remains in custody and under close guard, despite his lawyer’s request for him to be tried under the press law instead of the criminal code. Justice minister Salah Al-Margani has also requested his release on various grounds including his poor health, which was made worse by a hunger strike. Khitabi has still not been able to see his lawyer or receive a visit from his family. His wife announced on 7 April that she was also going on hunger strike in protest against his detention. The next hearing in his case has been set for 15 April. Reporters Without Borders points out that journalists have a key role to play in all democratic societies and urges the Libyan authorities to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that journalists are able to work safely. Although aware of the many challenges facing Libya’s transitional government as regards security matters and the formation of the armed forces, Reporters Without Borders urges the new Libyan state to everything possible to stop the threats and attacks against journalists. Reporters Without Borders also points out that article 14 of the Interim Constitutional Declaration requires the new Libyan state to ensure respect for freedom of opinion and expression, and media freedom. Libya is also party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of information and expression. The transitional government must comply with its national and international obligations to protect these fundamental rights, which are needed to establish a transparent and pluralist democratic society, one that is viable in the long term.