Libya Brings Back Morality Police to Enforce Traditions
The Libyan interior minister has announced that the morality police will return to the streets to enforce what he calls “societal traditions” and restrict women’s freedom of movement.
On Wednesday, Emad al-Tarabulsi said that patrols will start next month. These patrols will check for “strange” haircuts, make sure women wear “modest” clothing, and stop men and women from mixing in public.
He also mentioned that women will not be allowed to travel within Libya without a male guardian. He suggested that those who want more personal freedom should go to Europe.
Since a NATO-backed uprising overthrew long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has faced ongoing instability. The country split into two rival governments in 2014, one in the east and one in the west.
The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU), where Tarabulsi serves, is based in Tripoli. A rival government in Benghazi does not recognize GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who was appointed through a UN-supported process in 2021.
International efforts to resolve the conflict in Libya have focused on pushing for new elections to replace the current interim government. Dbeibah has said he will not give up power without national elections.
Since 2011, religious freedoms have declined in Libya, which is mostly Muslim. It is illegal to share non-Islamic religious materials or engage in missionary work. In May, the GNU set up a group called the “Guardians of Virtue” to protect Islamic values.
Non-Muslims and members of minority Muslim sects have faced persecution from both the government and armed groups in Libya.
