Libyan law to ban glorifying Gaddafi

LIBYA’S supreme court has agreed to review a new law banning the glorification of ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi or any of his supporters.

‘Law 37’ was passed by the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) last month, but a lawyer appealing it told the court it violates constitutional freedoms of expression.

“This law is a violation of the basic freedoms of human rights and will help to damage freedoms in Libya,” Saleh al-Marghani said.

“The law itself helps to glorify Gaddafi more than keep it in check. We ask the court to accept our appeal.”

Elham Saudi, director of the Lawyers For Justice in Libya group, said the appeal “marks a unique opportunity for the judiciary in Libya to assert its independence and act in its capacity as a monitor of the powers of the lawmakers in the country”.