Libyans Reject Return of Morality Police: A Restriction on Personal Freedoms
The announcement of morality police's return in Libya reflects sharp social division between supporters of personal freedoms and those calling for restrictions under the pretext of protecting values
November 7, 2024, 7:51 pm

Libyans Reject Return of Morality Police: A Restriction on Personal Freedoms

ليبيا

The Interior Minister of Libya's Government of National Unity, Emad Al-Tarabulsi, sparked intense social debate in recent hours following his announcement to resume "morality police operations in streets to confront behaviors violating society's traditions".

During a media interview Wednesday, Tarabulsi announced that morality police patrols would resume duties next month, confirming they would address "strange" haircuts and youth clothing that contradicts society's customs and traditions. He emphasized requiring women to wear modest clothing in public spaces and called on the Education Ministry to mandate hijab for female students.

He addressed banning women's travel without a male guardian, noting the need to activate female police to deter women's immoral behaviors and prevent mixed-gender presence in cafes and public places.

He continued with threats to detain violators and raid homes if people are proven involved in immoral acts, adding that those "seeking personal freedom should go to Europe."

These statements sparked widespread debate among Libyans on social media platforms, between supporters of the decision "to limit moral deterioration in society" as described, and opponents who see it as a restriction on freedoms and regression.

Libyan activist Amira Youssef expressed her position saying, "There's a difference between maintaining public morals and imposing ISIS laws," addressing the Interior Minister: "We are against nudity, vulgarity, drugs, alcohol, and corruption of all kinds and anything affecting public morals, but imposing specific clothing on young girls, preventing women from traveling without a guardian, preventing us from eating in public places, and saying that whoever seeks personal freedom should go to Europe - it remains only to declare that Libya is an extension of ISIS until the international community and human rights organizations intervene to express their positions."

A Facebook blogger considered the statements tragic, describing them as "an attempt to spread and impose extremist thought in schools, curricula, and streets." Blogger Sanad Al-Shami denounced the decision, considering that "sound thinking doesn't need a stick or morality police to establish it, but requires directing state capabilities, budget, and priorities towards education."

Other citizens questioned why the focus isn't on combating corruption, expired goods, and pursuing public funds plunderers. A minority of Libyans supported "returning morality police to work," considering it "a step in the right direction after corruption spread and values were transgressed."

Libya has witnessed since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011 a state of turmoil, lack of security, and political confusion, amid the country's division between two authorities in the east and west.

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