French Parliament Supports Libyan Bill on Sexual Crimes

19/02/2014
Press release
ar en fr

FIDH and Catherine Coutelle, the President of the Parliament’s Women’s Rights delegation, gathered, on Tuesday 18 February at the Palais Bourbon, several French leaders to express support to a bill proposed by the Libyan Justice Minister Mr. Salah El Marghany.

This bill recognizes victims of crimes of sexual violence used as a weapon of war during the Libyan revolution. Its adoption would remove many taboos and break the silence surrounding rape. It would also allow victims to heal and have access to more aid (medical, housing, education, training, etc.).

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Women’s Rights Minister, Elisabeth Guigou, former Justice Minister and Claude Bartolone, President of Parliament all underlined the importance of this bill and hailed the courage of its originator

The Libyan Justice Minister announced that if the Parliament doesn’t pass this law, it would be passed by decree.

Mr. Salah El Marghany, Libyan Justice Minister, interviewed by France 24

For Karim Lahidji, FIDH President, "passing this law would be a historic step. It carries a real message of hope for all women who have been victims of sexual violence in the world".

Read the Bill proposed to the Parliament of Libya

Read more