Fathi Eljahmi is one of Libya’s most outspoken democracy advocates. Between 1970 and 1971, he served as governor of the Al Khaleej province. Between 1971 and 1972 he served as chairman of the National Planning Commission, when he resigned to start an engineering business. When Qadhafi confiscated all private properties and businesses in 1978, he remained in country. He filed a civil lawsuit against the Libyan education minister (and Qadhafi’s cousin) after Qadhafi’s 1986 decree barring the study of English.
Below are letters, translated into English, which Fathi sent to Qadhafi in 1991, 1992, and 2000. He has been made to suffer for his beliefs. In 2002, the Libyan security service sent Fathi to prison after he called for national reconciliation, democracy, free speech, and rule of law. He was released briefly from prison in 2004. In a phone interview with Al-Hurrah TV on March 16, 2004, Fathi Eljahmi said:
I am proud that immediately after my release, President Bush described me as a reformer and a human rights activist in a ceremony at the White House. I am well aware that I share with President Bush and all of the American people human sentiments and desires for freedom, democracy, and propagation of democracy, human rights, right of ownership, and right to form a civil society.
He was quickly returned to prison after the Bush administration shifted its focus away from democratization in Libya. He remains isolated in prison and has lost much of his weight. He suffers from diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension; his family is allowed just one visit per year. He faces the death penalty for his beliefs and for meeting with a U.S. official. Many in the State Department say Libya is a success story. Qadhafi is not the real Libya. The real Libya is in prison. It is time for the White House and State Department to stand by Bush’s rhetoric.
–Mohamed Eljahmi (brother of Fathi)
AUGUST 13, 1991
In the Name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful
The Brother Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi,
With regards,
I have thought a lot before deciding to write you this letter.
Like every Libya citizen I have endured and persevered against tyranny and infringement upon liberties.
My business was confiscated and my ability to conduct business was frozen. My children were expelled from their schools, due to the decrees of Ahmad Ibrahim who is wanted by justice. However, the nobles are exempted from justice.
My house has been invaded three times in one year. As a result my family has endured material losses and psychological trauma. The latest incident occurred on June 11, 1991. I am grateful to God that my family was in Benghazi, trying to heal the wounds of the first invasion in April 1991.
My office on the First of September Street has been confiscated. The Revolutionary masters have become the caretakers of the Obedience Movement. As a result we the Libyan people lost our civil rights.
I have used the forum of People Congresses. In 1987 and at the People’s Congress in Manshia, Tripoli, I have stated my views about the war in Chad, tyranny, infringements upon liberties, the misuse of authority and centralized power.
In January 1989, I publicly declared my opposition to the regime from within the People’s Congress. I acted as an independent voice and not part of a political party. I spoke out, because I love this land, which has given me everything. I have always been of the view that I must educate and inform those in charge about pockets of danger. I have always conducted my business in public service this way.
I have told your advisors that the country may face great catastrophe. Some of the advisors I spoke with are Abdalla Mansour and Mustapha Al-Kharoubi.
There is lack of credibility. The circle of power has expanded. Apathy and corruption have become pervasive within society. The whole society feels terrorized by the state and the circle of nobles has expanded. Big and small know who the decision makers are. Some and the commoners as a whole suggest the Qadadifas are the decision makers and I think it is true.
This maybe my last letter, I am currently in Cairo but I plan to return to Libya soon to face my responsibilities.
I am ready to express my honest opinion and accept my responsibilities as a Libyan citizen and under the rule of law and free speech.
I felt this bitterness because of what happened. I have been deprived of my right to work and the security of my family was left to the street.
Perhaps you will not see my writings, but I feel internal peace, because I know every fate is pre-destined.
Lord be my witness, I have delivered the message.
The peace and blessing of God be upon you.
Engineer Fathi Eljahmi
Cairo August 13, 1991
[I handed this letter to Ahmad Qadhaf Al-Dam at the Libyan Embassy in Cairo, where a People’s Congress to discuss the issue of Lockerbie took place. The Egyptian press and political parties attended this People’s Congress. I declared at the People’s Congress the necessity of re-arranging the Libyan home, the formation of a temporary government and national reconciliation. The event was reported in the Egyptian press.]
MAY 16, 1992
In the Name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful
The brother Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi,
Peace, mercy and blessings of God upon you,
I have sent you a letter last fall (1991). Today the events have developed and the picture in Libya has become bleak. The lack of will to make a balanced and decisive decision will lead the Libyan people toward a catastrophe. I see the images in Somalia, Lebanon and everywhere. Change has shaken the whole world and this will happen soon in Libya.
We have grown tired of the same figureheads and the internal conditions in Libya. The current situation in the homeland has deteriorated. Libyans are growing silent day by day and apathy has become pervasive within society.
There is no sensitivity on my part for writing you, because I have used all available legal means beginning with the Basic People’s Congresses and the legal system and writing to you personally. In the past I have resigned my position as a public servant and thank God, I feel proud for forming an independent outlook through dialogue.
As a Libyan citizen who is calling for change in the economic and social policies, for human rights and free expression and for building institutions based state. Even though we currently hold the decision to re-arrange the Libyan home, I feel distressed that my aspirations may in the future come through Great States.
I call for national reconciliation and for an immediate conference for the entire honorable political powers within Libya, for the declaration of general amnesty, for the release of all prisoners of conscience, for a national dialogue, for affirming the rule of law, for the return to normal life and for the formation of a temporary government.
I think your security is tantamount to the security of the Libyan people and there can be no security for you without the security of the Libyan people.
I hope that you receive my letter. The unity of the country and the security of its soil are at risk. Its unity can be torn apart and bloodshed, if it starts, no one can predict its outcome. I am ready to take part in the national reconciliation if accepted from all sides.
I affirm my readiness as a citizen to play a role within society under a law that protects free speech and expression.
I also affirm that I have nothing to worry about, because all things are pre-destined.
Lord be my witness, I have delivered the message.
Engineer Fathi Eljahmi, May 16, 1992.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2000
In the Name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful
The Brother Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi,
With regards,
Peace, Mercy and Blessings of God upon you,
I have sent you few letters about tyranny, misuse of authority and my being deprived of making a living.
I have declared myself politically opposed from within the People’s Congresses and also in the complaint to the District Attorney via Bab Ben Ghasheer police.
What is required of me? I have used the forum of the People’s Congresses, the Judiciary and I have written to your Excellency on the daily struggles. Today, I face difficulties from Abdalla Ali Al-Qadhafi, the Coordinator of the Administration for People’s Leadership. He uses his position to affect justice within a society, which is surrounded by panic and fear.
I am writing to you, because I love freedom and free speech. I wish to address you about the recent difficulties that I am enduring. I have no choice if I am deprived from earning a living. If the intent is to make me leave the homeland, then it is my right to affirm my continued commitment to the homeland and the future of my children.
If putting obstacles is the goal then it is my duty as a Libyan citizen that I hold firm to my commitment to enduring principles. After all, accepting disagreement is mercy. The progress of this nation will not happen without the creation of a free man, whom we believe in his rights and duties to society.
I conclude this letter to your Excellency by saying we have had enough. Please fear God. I am in distress because of the suffering and the problems, which are caused by the beneficiaries of the current systems. I know that my battle is continuing.
I end my letter by asserting that I ask nothing of you but I want to make you aware of the suffering. I am ready for dialogue.
I also affirm that I have nothing to worry about, because all things are pre-destined.
Lord be my witness, I have delivered the message.
Please accept my full and utmost respect,
Engineer Fathi ElHoshi Younis ElHoshi Lamlum Eljahmi
September 24, 2000