[Tripoli Post] Following calls from rights groups to revoke a law that criminalises glorifying ousted former Libyan dictator leader Muammar Qadaffy...whose instability was an inspiration to dictators everywhere, but whose end couldn't possibly happen to them...
or any of his supporters, and/or spreading "propaganda" that insults or endangers the state, on June 14 Libya's Supreme Court has agreed to review the constitutionality of the new law.
The appealing lawyer told the court on Sunday that Law 37, which was passed by the ruling National Transitional Council last month, violated constitutional freedoms of expression.
Saleh al-Marghani said that the law is similar to a Qadaffy- era measure aimed at stifling dissent and jailing the opposition. "This law is a violation of the basic freedoms of human rights
...which are usually entirely different from personal
liberty...
and will help to damage freedoms in Libya. The law itself helps to glorify Qadaffy more than keep it in check. We ask the court to accept our appeal," he said.
He went on to say that the law is vague and could be used to imprison people for up 15 years just for criticising the government.
International and local rights groups say the law contradicts the Constitutional Declaration by Libya's interim leaders guaranteeing freedom of speech.
The NTC passed Law 37 on May 2 and raised public outrage among civil societies and Libyan legal experts who said the law violated the spirit of freedom of expression.
The law prescribes prison sentences for the glorification of Qadaffy as well as publishing any news "harming the February 17 revolution".