Publication

This analysis argues that the Political Isolation Law, which the Libyan parliament passed in May 2013, could derail the country's democratic transition. Although the law is designed to exclude key members of the Qaddafi regime from participating in a 'newly democratic' Libya, its example could have far-reaching effects in the Maghreb, Sahel and Mediterranean. Basically, the law fails in a major way -- it discourages the pursuit of other forms of reconciliation and transitional justice, which means it will impede the overcoming of a toxic past.