Libya: Update to LBY30486.E of 25 November 1998 and LBY26570 of 18 April 1997 on the penalty for failing to report for military call-ups, particularly in the case of Libyan citizens who served their compulsory military service and were discharged from the armed forces in 1992; whether they are required to report to the government authorities on an annual basis for possible recall; possibilities of exemptions for military service
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 26 March 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBY38493.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Libya: Update to LBY30486.E of 25 November 1998 and LBY26570 of 18 April 1997 on the penalty for failing to report for military call-ups, particularly in the case of Libyan citizens who served their compulsory military service and were discharged from the armed forces in 1992; whether they are required to report to the government authorities on an annual basis for possible recall; possibilities of exemptions for military service, 26 March 2002, LBY38493.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be608.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A case study on Libya provided by the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI), the Free University of Brussels (VUB) and the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) in their Educational Module on Chemical and Biological Weapons (CBW) Non-proliferation states that the requirement for all male Libyans to undergo regular military training has led to the re-enforcement of the 40,000 strong People's Militia paramilitary force ( 1998-2001).
The Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 published by the London-based Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers states that "persons who had not yet completed their studies could postpone military service until the age of 26."
A Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio provided the following information in a 26 March 2002 telephone interview.
No definite rules apply in practice in Libya with respect to military service and subsequent military duties. In theory, all Libyan males are liable for military service from age 18 to 35 and must avail themselves for subsequent military duties or training from age 36 to 56. They are also requested to report once a year to the military authorities for possible recall in the regular army or the People's Militia paramilitary force, but they can just as well be summoned for military duties at any time.
There are no definite rules for military service or subsequent military duties exemption. One can be exempted for various reasons, depending on one's acquaintances with people in position of authority. Students can be exempted but are still required to perform military training in schools.
Penalties for not showing up for military service or not reporting to the authorities for subsequent military duties are in practice not subject to definite rules. One can be sent to jail for one, two, three months or even longer depending on which army officer will take the decision. Cases of persons being punished for not reporting for military duties are scarce since those who are liable to be punished are likely to leave the country.
The professor is the author of a book entitled Libya's Qaddafi: The Politics of Contradiction (1997).
No additional and/or corroborating information on whether Libyan citizens who served their compulsory military service and were discharged from the armed forces in 1992, are required to report to the government authorities on an annual basis for possible recall, and on the possibilities of exemptions for military service could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (CSUCS), London. 2001. Global Report 2001: Libya.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Free University Brussels, VUB) and the International Relations and Security Network (ISN). 1998-2001. "Case Study Libya."
Professor of Political Science, University of Texas at San Antonio. 26 March 2002. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International
European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI)
UK Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Country Assessment: Libya
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Federation Internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH)
War Resisters International (WRI)
Oral sources including:
Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR)
Libyan Union for Human Rights Defenders (LUHRD)
