CurrenT aFFairs

CurrenT aFFairs

Hoping to take advantage of the thousands of miles of Mediterranean coastline and archaeological wonders, billions of dollars worth of investment is just waiting to be spent

Human Rights Watch says the country’s rehabilitation has led to some improvement in the situation there, but notes that freedom of expression and political opposition are still severely curtailed and that political prisoners are still being detained. Indeed, being involved in a group or activity that opposes the ideology set in the revolution of 1969 – which saw Colonel Gaddafi seize power – is still punishable by death. In exchange for contracts, the US and British governments have added to their list of terrorist groups some of those who are opposed to the current Libyan regime. Females who are found guilty of transgressing moral codes or are simply rejected by their families are kept in detention, ostensibly for their own protection and ‘rehabilitation’, but none of their basic human rights, such as the right to privacy, the right

human rights, championed by nelson mandela, are showing some signs of improvement in libya

to due process, and the freedom of movement are honoured. Promises of reform have been made but are slow in coming. But with Colonel Gaddafi’s sometimes startling willingness to co-operate and agree concessions, there is a great deal of hope for the future. However, calls for multi-party elections have fallen on deaf ears. Another opportunity for investment is the barely existent tourist industry. Hoping to take advantage of the thousands of miles of Mediterranean coastline and archaeological wonders, billions of dollars worth of investment is just waiting to be spent, with deals for hotels, golf courses

16 The Middle easT June 2008

and resorts being negotiated. But the lack of a legal framework is a concern for anyone wishing to put their money into Libya. Until one is put in place, many will be reluctant to risk their investment. However, Libya’s new, friendly relations with the US, in particular, has a down side. Many young Libyans are unhappy with their government’s abandonment of its nuclear weapons programme and see the 2003 declaration as a capitulation to those they consider to be their enemies. As a result, figures reveal that an increasing percentage of insurgents in Iraq are of Libyan origin. Ayman Al Zawahri, Al Qaeda’s second most senior leader, has declared Colonel Gaddafi an ‘enemy of Islam’, and has called on the people of North Africa to overthrow their leaders. Despite the obvious cause for concern this represents, the very fact that such groups are obliged to leave their homes and seek refuge in Iraq is revealing of a tide that is turning against those who would take up arms for their cause. More significant for the future, is the stark contrast between the outcome of war in Iraq and the peaceful changes that are now taking place in Libya. Whilst the standoff between Tehran and Washington continues, the first signs of a shift in Iran from the extreme, hardline policies of the president to the more moderate, open proposals of those who are gaining political influence, indicate that patience will win the day. But whichever way you look at it, coercion – whether peaceful or violent – is coercion nonetheless. And although the changes that are taking place can only be described as positive, if those changes are seen to be forced, the resentment of those who remain disaffected will continue to simmer. And if foreign oil companies and investors profit, while ordinary Libyans are left behind, the opportunity for Colonel Gaddafi’s change of heart to take hold may be lost. n