Libya: Islah Party of Libya

No information on an organization properly called "Ilsah Party of Libya" could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, there is an organization called Al-haraka Al-leebiya Lil-taghyieer Wal-Islah, (the Libyan Movement for Change and Reform, LMCR) ,which was established in March 1994 (Libya: Our Home n.d. ). The LMCR publishes in Arabic a magazine entitled Shu'un Libiyah" and a newsletter, both of which are available on the Party's Website, also entitled entitled Shu'un Libiyah" at: .

The LMCR defines itself as follows:

The Libyan Movement for Change and Reform is a political organization dedicated to changing the existing illegitimate regime which has reduced our country to its present tragic state. The Movement rejects despotism and dictatorship, demands the return of constitutional rule, calls for popular participation in the nation's social and economic reconstruction, and works for the establishment of a democratic society based upon the free will of the people and the rule of law. We want to see Libya regain its prior glory and dignity, to be a land that once again enjoys freedom, democracy, stability, and progress (17 Mar. 1997).

The basic principles of the LMCR, as established in December 1995, are the following:

1. Organized political action is a mainstay of a civilized society and a framework in which citizen's energies are united into one popular force. This power expresses a common need for a decent and prosperous life, and strives to achieve the people's aims and ambitions. It preserves freedom and essential rights; and aborts all attempts to impinge upon them, detract from their value, or confiscate them altogether.

2. The embodiment of constitutional legitimacy through free elections. Any power that does not take its root from the people is resisted and rejected as being illegitimate.

3. Embracing democracy as a basis for the ruling order and a guideline for political practices, the salient features of which are:

– Power being an inalienable right of the people who delegate it out of their free will to executive, legislative and judicial bodies selected via constitutionally defined mechanisms.

– Separation of powers – the executive, legislative, and judicial.

– Resorting to majority vote without tampering with the basic rights of individuals.

– The peaceful acquisition of power.

– Preserving basic human rights, especially freedom of thought and speech, and the right to join organized political parties within a framework of political plurality.

– Practicing political action peacefully condemning terrorism and combating violence, physical or mental.

4. Regarding Islam as the cardinal source and reference for legislative principles, norms, and approaches needed for planning and controlling thecomprehensive transformation in all political, economic, cultural, and social walks of life. This is achievable through a code of Islamic ethics and values of which the following are:

– Honoring man with the power and responsibility of choice.

– Appreciating man's worth and potential by a standard of beliefs based on knowledge, work, and morality.

– Practicing dialogue and peaceful initiative, while rejecting coercion and pressure.

– Following a course of moderation rather than extremism and fanaticism.

– Adopting gradual change according to realistic assessment of changing circumstances and based on moral as well as material factors.

5. Employing scientific knowledge as a springboard for reconstruction of Libyan life in the various fields of human, economic and social development. This approach will help in dealing successfully with the challenges and questions of cultural transformation.

6. Regarding freedom of thought and speech as a human value and a mainstay of civilized society. This falls in line with the importance of establishing a new concept for dealing with mass media as being owned by the entire society, rejecting the idea of it as a monopoly of a ruler or an executive power.

7. Deeming work and free enterprise to be cornerstones for a thriving economy that invests in resources and human potentials for the growth, stability, and welfare of society and individuals.

8. Expressing the crucial role of women not only as creators of strong, good families in which citizens receive their first proper schooling, but also as vital members of the state in all facets.

9. Achieving strategic aims through systematic planning, while focusing on the importance of the development of the human resources.

10. Seeing the proper Libyan nationalism as an exclusive major influence on the various choices related to the transformation of Libyan society from a state of dictatorship, chaos and backwardness to one of legitimate constitutional rule and comprehensive cultural renaissance.

11. Emphasizing the role of security forces and the intelligence service, whose duty it is to preserve the life of individuals, their possessions, freedom, rights, and whatever they hold sacred.

12. Emphasizing the role of national defense forces which is to safeguard independence and unity against any act of outside aggression, and to positively contribute to the national and international endeavors to ensure peace and guarantee the right of self-determination for all the people.

13. Protecting and defending national unity embodied in the Libyan lands and people, while aborting any attempts to fragment or diminish the value of this unity.

14. Pledging of allegiance by Libyan individuals, groups, and political powers to their country; asserting the independence of national will; and rejecting all kinds of financial and organizational subordination to any foreign states, political power, or organizations.

15. Expressing Libya's affiliation to the Arab nation based on the commonlinks with its civilization and destiny. Arab unity should be pursued through careful planning, taking the local realities within Arab countries into consideration.

16. Expressing Libya's affiliation to the Islamic world in terms of Islamicbeliefs and values, with Libya being an integral part of the Islamic nation influencing and being influenced by the current state of affairs in the Islamic world.

17. Expressing Libya's affiliation to the international community; believing in Libya's role in establishing international relations based on peace, cooperation, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states (December 1995).

Further information on the MLRC could not 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

Libya: Our Home. n.d. "Libya: Opposition Groups, Parties and Organizations." [Accessed 26 July 2001]

Libyan Movement for Change and Reform (LMCR). 17 March 1997. Press Release Concerning New Measures in Libya. Shu'un Libiyah. . [Accessed 26 July 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Political Handbook of the World 1999

Internet sources including:

The Country and People of Libya

Libya Online.com

Libya Resources on the Internet

Muslimworld.org: Libya

Political Resources on the Net

World News Connection (WNC)