| LIBYA Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma Joined United Nations: 14 December 1955 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 02/16/11 |
Chapter I The State
Article 1 [Principles]
Libya is an Arab, democratic, and free republic in which sovereignty is vested in the people. The Libyan people are part of the Arab
nation. Their goal is total Arab unity. The Libyan territory is a part of Africa. The name of the country is the Libyan Arab Republic.
Article 2 [State Religion, Language]
Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official Language. The state protects religious freedom in accordance with established
customs.
Article 3 [Solidarity, Family]
Social solidarity constitutes the foundation of national unity. The family, based on religion, morality, and patriotism, is the foundation of
society.
Article 4 [Work]
Work in the Libyan Arab Republic is a right, a duty, and an honor for every able-bodied citizen. Public functions are the duty of those
who are put in charge of them. The goal of the state employees in discharging their duties is to serve the people.
Article 5 [Equality]
All citizens are equal before the law.
Article 6 [Socialism]
The aim of the state is the realization of socialism through the application of social justice which forbids any form of exploitation. The
state endeavors, through the edification of a socialist community, to achieve self-sufficiency in production and equity in distribution. Its
aim is to eliminate peacefully the disparities between social classes and to attain a society of prosperity. Its inspiration is its Arabic and
Islamic heritage, humanitarian values and the specific conditions of the Libyan society.
Article 7 [Economy]
The state will endeavor to liberate the national economy from dependence and foreign influence, and to turn it into a productive national
economy, based on public ownership by the Libyan people and on private ownership by individual citizens.
Article 8 [Property]
Public ownership is the basis of the development of society, of its growth and of self-sufficiency in production. Private ownership, if it is
non-exploitative, is protected. Expropriation will take place only in accordance with the law. Inheritance is a right which will be governed
by the Islamic Shari'a.
Article 9 [Planning]
The state will institute a system of national planning covering economic, social, and cultural aspects. Cooperation between the private and
public sectors will be necessary for the achievement of the goals of economic development.
Article 10 [No Titles]
The creation of honorary titles and civilian ranks is prohibited. All titles granted to the members of the former dynasty and to followers are
abolished.
Article 11 [Asylum]
The extradition of political refugees is prohibited.
Article 12 [Home]
The home is inviolable and shall not be entered or searched except under the circumstances and conditions defined by the law.
Article 13 [Expression]
Freedom of Opinion is guaranteed within the limits of public interest and the principles of the Revolution.
Article 14 [Education]
Education is a right and a duty for all Libyans. It is compulsory until the end of the primary school. The State guarantees this right
through the establishment of schools, institutes, and universities, and of pedagogical and cultural institutions in which education is free.
The creation of private schools will also be regulated by law. The State is particularly anxious to enhance the physical, intellectual, and
moral development of the youth.
Article 15 [Health]
Health care is a right guaranteed by the State through the creation of hospitals and health establishments in accordance with the law.
Article 16 [Defense]
Defense of the homeland is a sacred duty. Military service is an honor for the Libyan people.
Article 17 [Taxation]
No tax will be imposed, modified, or cancelled and no one will be exempted from paying taxes except in accordance with the law.
Declaration on the Establishment of the Authority of the People
Adopted 2 March 1977
The Libyan Arab people assembled in the General Conference of the People's Congresses, the People's Committees, and the Professional
Unions;
Having reviewed the recommendations of the People's Congresses, the Constitutional Declaration of 11 December 1969, and the
resolutions and recommendations of the General People's Congress which met during the period 5 to 18 January 1975;
Believing in the establishment of the direct democratic system heralded by the Great September Revolution and regarding it as the absolute
and decisive solution to the problem of democracy;
Embodying the pioneer experiment of the popular rule on the soil of the Great September Revolution which established the authority of the
People, who alone should have the authority;
Declare their adherence to freedom and willingness to defend it on the Libyan land and on any other land in the world;
Declare their preparedness to protect the persecuted freedom-seekers;
Declare their adherence to socialism as a means of achieving People's ownership;
Declare their commitment to spiritual values to safeguard morals and human behavior;
Support the march of the Revolution towards complete popular authority and consolidation of the People's Society where only the people
control leadership, authority, wealth, and arms to realize the Society of Freedom;
Declare their total commitment to blocking the way in face of all forms of traditional instruments of government, be they individual,
family, tribe, sect, class, representative, party, or group of parties;
Declare their readiness to crush forever any undemocratic attempt;
The Libyan Arab People, having regained, through the Revolution, total control over their affairs, and controlling their present and future
potentialities with the help of Allah and adherence to His Holy Book as the everlasting source for guidance and as the ordinance of society;
Issue this declaration proclaiming the establishment of the People's authority and announcing to the peoples of the earth the emergence of
the era of the masses.
Article 1 [Principles]
Libya is an Arab, democratic, and free republic in which sovereignty is vested in the people. The Libyan people are part of the Arab
nation. Their goal is total Arab unity. The Libyan territory is a part of Africa. The name of the country is the Libyan Arab Republic.
Article 2 [State Religion, Language]
Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official Language. The state protects religious freedom in accordance with established
customs.
Article 3 [Solidarity, Family]
Social solidarity constitutes the foundation of national unity. The family, based on religion, morality, and patriotism, is the foundation of
society.
Article 4 [Work]
Work in the Libyan Arab Republic is a right, a duty, and an honor for every able-bodied citizen. Public functions are the duty of those
who are put in charge of them. The goal of the state employees in discharging their duties is to serve the people.
Article 5 [Equality]
All citizens are equal before the law.
Article 6 [Socialism]
The aim of the state is the realization of socialism through the application of social justice which forbids any form of exploitation. The
state endeavors, through the edification of a socialist community, to achieve self-sufficiency in production and equity in distribution. Its
aim is to eliminate peacefully the disparities between social classes and to attain a society of prosperity. Its inspiration is its Arabic and
Islamic heritage, humanitarian values and the specific conditions of the Libyan society.
Article 7 [Economy]
The state will endeavor to liberate the national economy from dependence and foreign influence, and to turn it into a productive national
economy, based on public ownership by the Libyan people and on private ownership by individual citizens.
Article 8 [Property]
Public ownership is the basis of the development of society, of its growth and of self-sufficiency in production. Private ownership, if it is
non-exploitative, is protected. Expropriation will take place only in accordance with the law. Inheritance is a right which will be governed
by the Islamic Shari'a.
Article 9 [Planning]
The state will institute a system of national planning covering economic, social, and cultural aspects. Cooperation between the private and
public sectors will be necessary for the achievement of the goals of economic development.
Article 10 [No Titles]
The creation of honorary titles and civilian ranks is prohibited. All titles granted to the members of the former dynasty and to followers are
abolished.
Article 11 [Asylum]
The extradition of political refugees is prohibited.
Article 12 [Home]
The home is inviolable and shall not be entered or searched except under the circumstances and conditions defined by the law.
Article 13 [Expression]
Freedom of Opinion is guaranteed within the limits of public interest and the principles of the Revolution.
Article 14 [Education]
Education is a right and a duty for all Libyans. It is compulsory until the end of the primary school. The State guarantees this right
through the establishment of schools, institutes, and universities, and of pedagogical and cultural institutions in which education is free.
The creation of private schools will also be regulated by law. The State is particularly anxious to enhance the physical, intellectual, and
moral development of the youth.
Article 15 [Health]
Health care is a right guaranteed by the State through the creation of hospitals and health establishments in accordance with the law.
Article 16 [Defense]
Defense of the homeland is a sacred duty. Military service is an honor for the Libyan people.
Article 17 [Taxation]
No tax will be imposed, modified, or cancelled and no one will be exempted from paying taxes except in accordance with the law.
Declaration on the Establishment of the Authority of the People
Adopted 2 March 1977
The Libyan Arab people assembled in the General Conference of the People's Congresses, the People's Committees, and the Professional
Unions;
Having reviewed the recommendations of the People's Congresses, the Constitutional Declaration of 11 December 1969, and the
resolutions and recommendations of the General People's Congress which met during the period 5 to 18 January 1975;
Believing in the establishment of the direct democratic system heralded by the Great September Revolution and regarding it as the absolute
and decisive solution to the problem of democracy;
Embodying the pioneer experiment of the popular rule on the soil of the Great September Revolution which established the authority of the
People, who alone should have the authority;
Declare their adherence to freedom and willingness to defend it on the Libyan land and on any other land in the world;
Declare their preparedness to protect the persecuted freedom-seekers;
Declare their adherence to socialism as a means of achieving People's ownership;
Declare their commitment to spiritual values to safeguard morals and human behavior;
Support the march of the Revolution towards complete popular authority and consolidation of the People's Society where only the people
control leadership, authority, wealth, and arms to realize the Society of Freedom;
Declare their total commitment to blocking the way in face of all forms of traditional instruments of government, be they individual,
family, tribe, sect, class, representative, party, or group of parties;
Declare their readiness to crush forever any undemocratic attempt;
The Libyan Arab People, having regained, through the Revolution, total control over their affairs, and controlling their present and future
potentialities with the help of Allah and adherence to His Holy Book as the everlasting source for guidance and as the ordinance of society;
Issue this declaration proclaiming the establishment of the People's authority and announcing to the peoples of the earth the emergence of
the era of the masses.
In the age of antiquity Libya existed as the separate states of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica and
was successively ruled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Alexander The Great, Egypt,
Romans, Vandals and the Byzantine Empire. Islamic Arab armies conquered Libya,
transferring power from the Byzantine Empire into the hands of the Ummayad caliph. In 750
the Abbasid Dynasty overthrew Ummayad and ruled from Baghdad, transferring power to
the Aghlabid Dynasty who dominated the region as an autonomous state. Spain conquered
Libya in 1510, transferring control to the Knights of Malta in 1528. In 1538, the pirate-king
Barbarossa reconquered Libya dubbing the area the Barbary Coast which remained
autonomous from the Ottoman Empire until conquered by the Karamanli Dynasty in 1711.
The Ottomans asserted authority in 1835 but, upon the collapse of the Empire, Italy invaded
in 1911 and colonized Libya until 1947 when Libya became the world's first United Nations'
protectorate to achieve independence. Independence was achieved with the establishment
of a Constitutional Monarchy on 24 December 1951. Following the September 1969 military
overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the
existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969. Human rights
are enumerated beginning with Chapter I (The State), conform with the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights of which Libya is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Libya's Constitutional Proclamation, click here.
was successively ruled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Alexander The Great, Egypt,
Romans, Vandals and the Byzantine Empire. Islamic Arab armies conquered Libya,
transferring power from the Byzantine Empire into the hands of the Ummayad caliph. In 750
the Abbasid Dynasty overthrew Ummayad and ruled from Baghdad, transferring power to
the Aghlabid Dynasty who dominated the region as an autonomous state. Spain conquered
Libya in 1510, transferring control to the Knights of Malta in 1528. In 1538, the pirate-king
Barbarossa reconquered Libya dubbing the area the Barbary Coast which remained
autonomous from the Ottoman Empire until conquered by the Karamanli Dynasty in 1711.
The Ottomans asserted authority in 1835 but, upon the collapse of the Empire, Italy invaded
in 1911 and colonized Libya until 1947 when Libya became the world's first United Nations'
protectorate to achieve independence. Independence was achieved with the establishment
of a Constitutional Monarchy on 24 December 1951. Following the September 1969 military
overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the
existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969. Human rights
are enumerated beginning with Chapter I (The State), conform with the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights of which Libya is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Libya's Constitutional Proclamation, click here.