33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

1 LIBYA Produced by the University of Malta FAST FACTS: • Libya is a country in North Africa • The most widely spoken language is Arabic . Other languages include Tamazight - i.e. Berber languages; Tamahaq spoken by the Tuareg; Italian and English spoken by the older generations • The main ethnic groups are Arabs, Berbers, Tebus and Tuaregs. Tebus live in the south-western and south-eastern regions of Egypt, and have been socially excluded and marginalised due to their darker skin • The majority of Libyans are Sunni Muslims • Since 2011, when the Libyan Civil War began, Libya has been torn between two governments and different militias and armed groups. Militias have continued to clash, and engaged in arbitrary detentions, torture, attacks and other • Women’s participation in the labour market is significantly lower than men’s and there are significant income disparities between the sexes • Purdah, the custom of secluding and veiling women is a traditional feature of Libyan cultural life • Libyan legislation inadequately addresses domestic violence, and cases of domestic violence often go unreported for fear of social stigma or rejection by the husband/family • Domestic violence is widespread in Libya , particularly in rural areas, where corporal punishment on wives or daughters is widespread. More generally, many Libyan men and women believe that in certain circumstances it is acceptable for a husband to beat his wife • Honour crimes are common in Libya. Women and girls who become pregnant after being raped are at risk of being murdered by their own families • Ghaddafi forces used rape as a weapon of war , and in recent years, numerous abductions of women and girls, forced disappearances, sexual harassment incidents and other have occurred • Although rape is criminalised, the law does not recognise marital rape