Al-Gaddafi Regime and the Internal Colonization of Libya

The Gaddafi regime in Libya has practiced gross violations against the Libyan people. Similar to other regimes in the region, the leadership has carried out land grabbing in Tripoli, Sert, Banghazi and al-Baidha, and consequently protected Gaddafi family interests by building palaces resorts and leading a luxurious lifestyle. According to some reports, this large-scale theft of the Libyan people’s resources amounted to “internal colonialism.”

 The HLRN network has published news articles concerning the property situation and land tenure in Libya during Gaddafi regime. For instance, Gaddafi issued Law No.4/1978 dictating eviction and expropriation in the name of public interests. Additionally HLRN documented the property situation of the Tamazight as an indigenous people with their lack of secure land tenure in the Jabal Nafusa area, specifically in Kabaw, which fell under the control of al-Saia’an tribes. 720 families have remained homeless for six years in Sabha town, south of Tripoli, as victims of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s development project called “Libya Tomorrow” (“Libya al-Ghad”). Therefore, the restoration of property will form part of the upcoming struggle for Libyans and the transitional government, involving their quest for achieving reconciliation and restitution for victims, while pursuing accountability of those responsible for such violations.   

 For more information on land issues in Libya, see:

1. Gaddafi’s Colonization of Libya (04/20/2011);
2. Libya Press, Law No. (4): Between the Damage and Compensating the Affected Beneficiaries (17/11/2010);
3. Omar Zarti, Law No. (4): The Most Heinous Crimes of Gaddafi (10/25/2011);
4. Conference of the Libyan Amazigh, Inviting Visitors to Protect the People (03/12/2006);
5. By virtue of the law of force: Saadi Gaddafi creates a mini-state in Libya (02/02/2011);
6. Ownership of land in Libya: the sacred right and Almusharan robbery (11/13/2011);
7. Of the Sabha: 720 families living without homes six years ago, Yasmina Sharif) 11/23/2011);
8. Regaining Confiscated Property Next Fight for Many in Libya, David Enders (16/11/2011);
9. Abdul Sattar Anath, a Libyan tribes seeking to regain their territory on which, extravagant palaces and awe (31/08/2011);
10. Light: compensation and not the trial to be a new beginning to Libya (11/13/2011).