The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, stressed the importance of a free and open civil space, considering that a thriving civil society is an indispensable force for change in order to promote rights and end the state of division in Libya.
This came during her meeting with representatives of civil society and youth and women’s organizations in Tripoli and Benghazi, as part of her official visit to Libya.
According to the official website of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, participants in the meetings with DiCarlo expressed their concerns about official restrictions on civic space, including enforced disappearances, and stressed that most public discussions focus on the East and West, often not including the South. They also provided details about the challenges that women in particular face when engaging in civil society work, traveling, and participating in public life.
“Civil society organizations play a critical role in promoting public participation, transparency and accountability,” the Under-Secretary-General stressed, adding that “the situation in Libya is more divided than ever. This is a critical time. We cannot afford to lose what we have already gained. Women, youth and civil society are key to Libya’s political transition and peacebuilding.”
Participants acknowledged the work done by the Mission to improve youth participation and ensure greater gender parity in political negotiations, but called for more meaningful participation and a greater share of women in legislative bodies where they could exercise decision-making powers, and expressed their hope that the United Nations would do more to impose sanctions on those seen as obstructing progress in the political process.
One of the candidates explained that he has hope “in the parliamentary elections, but not the national elections,” calling for “separating the two electoral processes, because this will lead the people into a vicious circle,” he said.
“Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security,” DiCarlo noted, stressing that “the UN wants to see more women participating in political and electoral processes.” She added that “this is particularly difficult in societies where women traditionally play no role in public life, and this is not unique to Libya. In all countries, women face challenges, including hate speech. This is scary, but there are ways to overcome it.”
Discussions also focused on the role of the United Nations and the limitations imposed on the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.
“Throughout my engagements in Libya, I have stressed that the role of the United Nations is to support Libyans in finding a solution, not to impose one,” DiCarlo said. “Our role is to amplify the voices of Libyans; we cannot find a solution for them. The United Nations fully supports the mission’s efforts to launch a new, inclusive political process that we hope will be a path out of the political crisis and towards lasting peace and prosperity. This is what the Libyans deserve.”
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2024-09-14 11:17:11