Libya’s cabinet has determined that civilians who were raped by the forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi during the country’s 2011 uprising should be compensated and recognized as war victims. The decree, which places the rape victims on the same level as wounded ex-fighters, would offer victims 12 measures ranging from financial assistance to physical and psychological health care. Recognizing rape victims in this manner is unprecedented for Libya, where rape is not openly discussed.
Evidence gathered by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court indicates that during the uprising, Colonel Gaddafi ordered the rape of women as a weapon against rebel forces. According to the BBC News, the number of rape victims is likely quite high, but it is not clear how many victims will come forward.
Although the cabinet’s decree needs final approval from Libya’s General National Congress, the Libyan Justice Ministry stated that it does not want to delay justice for victims and will not wait for congress to pass the decree. "Some victims can't go to school… they are suffering in silence and reconciliation efforts are suffering from all these outstanding issues," Libyan Minister of Justice Salah al-Marghani told the BBC.