03/04/2008

THE LIBYAN government of Moammar Khadafy has been working toward normalizedrelations with the United States, a turnaround that stands to benefit bothcountries. Unfortunately, that progress is in danger of being derailedbecause of Khadafy's hesitation to free an ailing critic of the regime whomLibyan authorities had promised to release from incarceration in apsychiatric hospital. The outspoken Fathi al-Jahmi, a former provincial governor, has been incustody for four years. His transgression? Calling for democracy and a freepress, and for openly deriding Khadafy's cult of personality. The last timehe was a free man, in March 2004, Jahmi said of Libya's supreme leader: "Allthat is left for him to do is hand us a prayer carpet and ask us to bowbefore his picture and worship him." This kind of impertinence may be displeasing to the Libyan leader, but Jahmihas already paid too high a price for speaking his mind. He has beenseparated from his family, and has developed multiple health problems incustody. Doctors from Physicians for Human Rights and Human Rights Watchwere recently allowed to visit with him and reported that although he needsmedical care and medications, he is able to be treated on an outpatientbasis. The doctors' visit was facilitated by the Khadafy Foundation, which has beensmoothing the way for enhanced commercial and educational exchanges with theUnited States under the direction of Khadafy's son. It should be a simplematter for the foundation to persuade the senior Khadafy that freeing Jahmiis not only the humane thing to do, but an indispensable gesture if Libyahopes to reap the full benefits of its previous renunciation of terrorismand weapons of mass destruction. A little respect for human rights can takeLibya a long way toward normalized relations with the United States.

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جميع المقالات والأراء التي تنشر في هذا الموقع تعبر عن رأي أصحابها فقط، ولا تعبر بالضرورة عن رأي إدارة الموقع >>>> ليبيا المستقبل منبر حر لكل من يطمح ويسعى لغد أفضل لليبيا الحبيبة