Brussels, Belgium -The European Union (EU) has called on the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) to respect human rights, following declarations by NTC president, Moustapha Abdeljalil, that Sharia, or islamic law, would be the source of law in the new post-Kadhafi era. In a communiqué to the media on Wednesday in Brussels, the EU said the new laws of Libya must be implemented in line with human rights, recalling that the authorities of the Transition had kept repeating the importance of respect for human rights in the constitutional roadmap for a new Libya. According to the communiqué, the EU would quickly carry out a broad assessment of civil society needs, including the strengtheniing of women organizations.

With this in mind, European experts are preparing a needs assessment in three fields - border management, civil society, including the strengthening of women organizations, and the media.

The enforcement of Sharia law authorises, de facto, polygamy and the wife’s repudiation by the husband, practices which were banned under the ousted Kadhafi regime.

Pana 27/10/2011