"Libya is not a place for personal freedoms," Emad Al-Trabelsi, the interior minister of Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, said earlier this month, adding that "those seeking freedom should go to Europe." This statement highlights the government's stance on restricting personal liberties and its intent to enforce strict social norms, emphasizing a rejection of Western ideals in favor of focused Islamic values.
Ahlam Bin Taboun, a Libyan civil researcher, criticized the government's approach, asserting, "As a Libyan citizen, you, as a minister, have no right to tell me to leave for Europe if I disagree with your decisions. Libya is a state that should be governed by laws applied to everyone, not by someone's personal opinions." Her words reflect the pushback against the moral authority assumed by the government.
Women are already facing intimidation as societal attitudes shift. Yasmin, a 26-year-old woman, recounted an incident where a man questioned her adherence to modesty rules, stating, "I was wearing a long skirt anyway. But when I ignored him, he started threatening me and since then I am afraid to be in public." This exemplifies the rising pressure women are experiencing in light of the government's policies.
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