New York - Tripoli: Europe and the Arabs
Independent experts have expressed deep concern about the discriminatory policy issued by the Libyan Government of National Unity in April 2023 that effectively restricts the right of women and girls to travel abroad without a male relative. According to the United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy this morning
Reportedly, the new government policy was systematically implemented without any prior official announcement, in which all women and girls traveling are required to fill out a form providing personal information, reasons for traveling without a male relative, and details of their previous unaccompanied travel history.
In a statement issued Thursday, the experts cited reports that women and girls who refuse to submit the form are being prevented from leaving and stressed that this policy, "is not only discriminatory, but also restricts the freedom of movement of women and girls, including female students who leave the country to study abroad."

The experts expressed their particular concern about the negative impact of this “discriminatory measure on the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls, in contravention of Libya’s international and national commitments to non-discrimination, equality and the right to privacy.”

They also expressed concern about alleged attempts by the Libyan Internal Security Agency to intimidate human rights defenders, including women, who object to these policies.

The experts stressed that the new restriction is evidence of the continued "erosion of the rights of women and girls in Libya and sends the wrong message," and added in their statement: "Women's equality and dignity must be guaranteed."

The international experts urged the Libyan authorities to withdraw this discriminatory condition and to prevent all forms of intimidation, harassment and attacks against women and human rights defenders who protested against this discriminatory policy.

The experts are:
Ms. Reem Al Salem, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls; Ms. Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ms. Dorothy Estrada-Tank (Chair), Ms. Ivana Radacic (Vice-Chair), Ms. Elizabeth Broderick, Ms. Meskerem Jessette Teshan and Ms. Melissa Upreti Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls; Ms. Anna Brienne Nogrier, Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy; Ms. Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education.
It is noteworthy that the special rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which is an intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Rapporteurs and experts are charged with studying human rights situations and submitting reports on them to the Human Rights Council. It should be noted that this position is ceremonial, and these experts are not considered employees of the United Nations and do not receive remuneration for their work.