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LIBYA – LIBYAN WOMEN’S PLATFORM FOR PEACE RELEASES AT CSW 59,

A CRISIS RESPONSE STRATEGY TOWARDS ACHIEVING STABILIZATION

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Libya—including the heinous beheading of twenty-one Coptic Egyptians and the bombing in Gubba, which left forty dead in Eastern Libya, and the deterioration of the security situation (as has been highlighted in the final report of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1973 (2011), and most recently extended by Security Council resolution 2144 (2014), which states that “over the course of 2014, 2,825 individuals were killed and more than 394,000 people were forced from their homes to live as internally displaced persons across 25 cities in the country”)—an urgent appeal for action is needed and without delay. Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace, after consultations with Libyan experts and young men and women activists, has released a Crisis Response Strategy towards achieving stabilization at the Fifty-Ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York, from March 9 to 15.

With terrorism threatening to engulf the country one city at a time and the unspoken humanitarian deterioration reaching frightening levels, the need to put an end to the political fragmentation must be fully recognized by all parties to the conflict. This is echoed by the international community who commit themselves to political dialogue with the aim of realizing a national unity government.

However, while all efforts are indeed necessary towards attaining a political solution, it is equally as important to emphasize that political dialogue and a unity government is not the sole solution in Libya. It is important not to approach the complexities facing Libya today in isolation. Instead it is necessary to aim for a coherent, holistic, comprehensive and integrated approach, which ensures inclusive integration of the social, economic and security components equally.

Amid all these challenges, Libyan women and youth stand out. Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace facilitated a meeting of Libyans experts, which took place on the 17-18th February 2015 (the 4th Anniversary of the Libyan Revolution), to address the pressing concerns in Libya, and develop a short-term crisis response strategy. The meeting, titled “Libya’s Transition: Scenario Analysis and Crisis Response Strategy, Towards Stabilization,” gathered Libyans of diverse backgrounds to discuss in depth possible scenarios, putting into consideration political, economic, social and security factors. These scenarios were examined against specific themes, including youth and women leadership and the role of the international community, and aimed at addressing pressing questions of security and stabilization and initiating political and regional reconciliation. They also served as a platform from which to dissect the challenges—looking not only at what hinders the process of reconciliation in general, but also at the specific context of the Libyan crisis and Libyan women. 

The outcome of the meeting has not only offered a comprehensive crisis response strategy, but has also allowed for Libyan ownership in proposing unbiased, informed solutions to their problem. Ultimately, after scientific methodological based consultations, a Crisis Response Strategy was proposed with final recommendations that will be shared in full in the near future.

The following was proposed among these recommendations:

  1. Establishing humanitarian corridors to ensure free movement of people fleeing the violence, while also ensuring these safe passages allow for the transfer of material and assistance to vital institutions (hospitals, major clinics, distribution centers and emergency shelters) in high population density areas. This includes securing key airports, seaports and main roads.
  2. Urgent activation of childcare programs and schools, and improvement of urban security through defined safe zones protected by police, army, etc. International assistance will be needed to train and provide security systems.
  3. Establishing an emergency medical aid committee consisting of MOH, Hospitals Representatives, WHO, UNIML, NGOs, Ministry of Transportation and Security. The committee will regularly assess and respond to acute and intermediate healthcare needs.
  4. Urgent rehabilitation of the internally displaced by providing alternative shelters such as prefabricated housing and preparation for further displacement by securing comprehensive livable safe havens. There will be a need for a significant role for international governments and relief agencies in planning and implementing such urgent objective.
  5. Reduction of the first chapter of the budget (e.g. salaries), through the full implementation of the National Identification Number System. Salaries and the like have to be disbursed only by depositing the disbursements in bank accounts and cash disbursements should be prohibited. This will make tracking and auditing payments easier and accessible at any required time.
  6. Establishing an Economic Commission that aids both the parliament and the government in drafting national economic policies and strategic plans. (Commission members should not exceed five members. A set of criteria has to be in place to ensure their expertise, with waivers that allow appointment of a maximum of two international experts on the commission.)
  7. Rebuilding the military infrastructure including facilities and camps. Establishing a military training strategy of counter terrorism in cooperation with the international community. Engaging civil society in the security sector reform and monitoring the human rights approach training, as well the budget of armament in the case of lifting the embargo on armament by the Security Council.
  8. Activating the judicial police. Refurbishing all police stations entirely. Establishing concrete solutions to reinstating the police. Establishing a comprehensive plan in collaboration with the international community and civil society on DDRR (on disarmament, demobilization, rehab, and reintegration) of militias.
  9. Re-establishing and restructuring of Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in order for it to be more inclusive.
  10. International assistance in monitoring the illicit export of crude oil and its  derivatives, in addition to other natural resources.
  11. International assistance in securing the borders and territorial waters to prevent entry into and exit from Libya of arms.
  12. Establishing a bottom up comprehensive national dialogue that allows for greater representation of women and youth.
  13. Proposing a new UN mandate for the UN Mission in Libya, one to be more readily available to address the changing realities on the ground in Libya, while further ensuring that a Libyan voice is also present when establishing this new mandate. 
  14. Implementation of SCR 2174, ending the impunity of warlords and the spoilers of the political process in Libya.