Special Focus Cases
Fathi el-Jahmi, Prisoner of Conscience
LIBYA
 Fathi el-Jahmi © Private |
Libyan authorities arrested Fathi el-Jahmi in 2002 after he called for free speech and political reforms during a conference in Tripoli. For that “crime,” he was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released in March 2004 following international pressure. Mr. el-Jahmi’s freedom proved short-lived, however, as authorities detained him again just weeks later after he repeated his call for democracy during a television interview.
The 66-year-old former provincial governor is believed to be held at a special facility of the Internal Security Agency on the outskirts of Tripoli. There are serious concerns about his treatment and conditions in detention. Authorities have reportedly denied him adequate treatment for a range of medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments. Unable to visit him regularly, Fathi el-Jahmi’s wife and five children fear for his well-being. Members of the el-Jahmi family have themselves been targeted by authorities. In 2004 officials closed down a family-run business, and in 2005 arsonists set fire to Fathi el-Jahmi's house while his son slept inside.
Mr. el-Jahmi is believed to be awaiting trial under Articles 166 and 167 of the Penal Code, charged with seeking to overthrow the government, slandering the Leader of the Revolution [Colonel al-Gaddafi], and contacting foreign authorities. However, Amnesty International considers Fathi el-Jahmi to be a prisoner of conscience, who has been detained solely for the peaceful expression of his political views. Amnesty International is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
BACKGROUND
In recent years the Libyan government has improved its relations with the United States and the European Union. The U.S. government restored full diplomatic relations with Libya in 2006 and later removed the country from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. While Libyan authorities have released a number of political prisoners in recent years, little or no progress has been made in improving the overall human rights situation in the country. Authorities have taken no significant steps to shed light on past human rights violations, including “disappearances” and deaths in custody. Laws that severely restrict the rights to freedom of expression and association are still used to repress those suspected of being opposed to or critical of the government. Real or suspected political opponents are held in prolonged incommunicado detention, without access to the outside world, leaving them vulnerable to torture and ill-treatment. Libyan law prohibits the formation of associations or political parties outside the existing political system, and defendants are regularly denied due process during unfair trials. In 2006, Colonel al-Gaddafi urged his supporters to “kill enemies” if they asked for political change.
