Danish inspiration for finalising a Libyan constitution

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In the coming week the next steps will be taken in the Libyan constitutional process. Three key elected members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly will visit the Danish Institute for Human Rights to draw inspiration.

In the coming week the next steps will be taken in the Libyan constitutional process. Three key elected members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly will visit the institute from 19 to 23 July 2015, and the idea of ​​the visit is to provide Danish inspiration in the work of finalising the constitution. Focus of the visit will be on communicating how a constitution can create the basis for rights and freedom in a society.

Despite the increased uncertainty in Libya this assembly has - since 2014 - worked to define the basic framework for a future Libyan government and will now work on turning the assembly’s general decisions into regular constitutional text.

After the toppling of Gaddafi’s regime in 2011 the Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with key institutions in Libya with the focus of supporting a general stabilisation of the country and a transition towards democracy based on the rule of law.

A partnership was established between the institute and the new national human rights institution, the National Council for Civil Liberties and Human Rights – with the result that it was recognised as a legitimate actor both nationally and by the international community. The institute also supported individual civil society organisations during this period.

Constitution in process despite violence

However, the flare-up of violence in Libya meant that the partnership could not function as anticipated. This led to the cooperation with members of the Libyan Constituent Assembly, elected by popular vote. The assembly presented its first draft for a future constitution in December 2014 defining the basic framework for a future Libyan government.

Back in February 2015 the institute and a wide range of Libyan civil society organisations met with several members of the constituent assembly writing the country’s future constitution. The meeting provided important input to the constituent assembly as well as laying the groundwork for future mechanisms to securing public consultation within the drafting process.

Since February 2015, the constitution has gone through a period of public consultation – a huge task, considering the current situation in Libya.