Questions and Answers
Questions About the Registration of Local Organizations
A Questions section dedicated to inquiries and questions related to the registration of local organizations
What are the classifications of organizations, and what is the definition of each classification?
Organization or Association:
A legal entity established through an independent initiative by a group of natural or legal persons for non-profit or non-political purposes. Membership is open without discrimination, and its bylaws define how decisions are made, implemented, and monitored.
Foundation:
A legal entity established by allocating funds for an indefinite period to carry out activities of a humanitarian, scientific, cultural, artistic, or sports nature, or any charitable or public benefit work, without the intention of making a profit.
Thematic Union:
A legal entity formed through an independent initiative by a group of organizations with similar activities. It aims to achieve objectives that align with the bylaws of its member entities.
Network:
A relationship that connects more than two legal entities within civil society. It seeks to achieve objectives consistent with the bylaws of its member entities. The network is dissolved upon achieving its objectives, becoming impossible to continue for any reason, or upon the expiration of its legally defined term. It is not required to be officially registered with the Commission; however, if its members wish to register it, the relevant regulations shall apply.
We also register other classifications (such as centers, forums, clubs, groups, etc.), which are subject to the same regulations as organizations.
How do I register a local organization?
By submitting an application to one of our branches or offices located across most Libyan cities.
You can also submit your application إلكترونياً (online).
You may also refer to the registration guidelines by clicking here.
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Questions About the Civil Society Commission
A section dedicated to inquiries and questions related to the Civil Society Commission
What is the relationship between the Commission and civil society organizations?
Cabinet Resolution No. (649) of 2013, concerning the renaming of the Civil Society Organizations Support Center, and Resolution No. (302) of 2014, approving the organizational structure and regulating the administrative body of the Civil Society Commission, define the nature of the relationship between the Civil Society Commission and both local and international organizations.
Most notably, this relationship includes granting legal status to local organizations, supervising them, monitoring their performance, and providing them with technical, logistical, and capacity-building support in organizational, legal, financial, and programmatic aspects—without compromising their independence.
In addition, the Commission is responsible for registering branches of international organizations wishing to operate in Libya.
What are the أبرز tasks of the Commission directed toward civil society organizations?
Key tasks of the Commission directed toward civil society organizations include:
- Managing the registration process of local civil society organizations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Registering branches of international organizations wishing to operate in Libya.
- Proposing regulations governing registration and certification processes, along with the required forms, in line with operational needs.
- Facilitating procedures for civil society organizations with local and international entities.
- Managing, developing, and updating the database of local and international civil society organizations.
- Providing technical and legal consultations to civil society activists and organizations.
- Reviewing the bylaws of local organizations applying for registration to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- Conducting statistical and analytical studies on civil society organization data, extracting indicators, and preparing reports.
- Submitting proposals to address any shortcomings in decisions and regulations related to civil society organizations.
- Monitoring the performance of civil society organizations in accordance with their bylaws and applicable legislation.
- Building strong relationships with local and international civil society organizations in line with the Commission’s objectives and policies.
- Conducting field visits to registered local and international civil society organizations in Libya.
- Developing plans for institutional performance management and capacity building of local organizations.
- Receiving periodic reports from international organizations.
- Following up on the activities of international civil society organizations and documenting them in paper and electronic databases.
- Providing information and data.
- Proposing mechanisms to support and strengthen civil society organizations.
- Encouraging organizations to comply with the law and handling complaints.
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Questions About Local Organizations
A section dedicated to inquiries and questions related to local organizations
What are the internal structures of organizations?
Bylaws:
The system agreed upon by the founders of the legal entity. It must include its name, headquarters, logo, objectives, conditions for acquiring and losing membership, members’ rights and duties, applicable penalties, its governing bodies, how they are formed, their اختصاصات (mandates), rules of operation, quorum for valid decision-making, as well as the entity’s financial and administrative systems, and the rules for merger, dissolution, and liquidation.General Assembly:
The highest authority within the legal entity. It consists of founding members, affiliated members, and those granted honorary membership. The bylaws define its اختصاصات (mandates), how and when it convenes, decision-making mechanisms, and all matters related to its work.Board of Directors:
The decision-making body of the entity, consisting of no fewer than three members. The bylaws define how it is elected, held accountable, dismissed, and how decisions are made within it.
What should be done when an organization requests to change the authorized signatories for bank instruments?
Minutes of the meeting of the authorized body to change the authorized signatories, in accordance with the organization’s bylaws.
A letter from the organization, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or their legally authorized representative, regarding opening the bank account. The letter must include the names of the authorized signatories and their positions, provided that one of them is the financial officer.
Question Type
Legal Questions and Inquiries
A section dedicated to legal questions and inquiries
Is the right to establish organizations guaranteed under Libyan legislation?
Yes. The Constitutional Declaration issued by the National Transitional Council guarantees individuals the right to establish associations. Article (15) states that:
“The State shall guarantee the freedom to form political parties, associations, and other civil society organizations. A law shall be issued to regulate them. It is prohibited to establish secret or armed associations, or those that violate public order or public morals, or otherwise harm the State or the unity of its territory.”This article also expands this right to include the individual’s right to form unions, federations, and other organizations.
This right is further supported by Law No. 23 of 1998 concerning unions, federations, and professional associations, as well as the Convention on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, which Libya ratified in 1962, and which affirms the right to establish unions and civil associations.
What purposes and objectives are prohibited for civil society organizations?
Although there is no explicit legislation clearly defining the prohibited purposes and objectives of civil society organizations, some restrictions are derived from international conventions ratified by the Libyan State, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These relate to national security, public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
In addition, Article (15) of the Constitutional Declaration states that it is prohibited to establish secret or armed associations, or those that violate public order or public morals, or that harm the State or the unity of its territory.
Furthermore, the regulatory framework adopted by the Civil Society Commission specifies certain prohibited purposes and objectives for establishing organizations in Libya. These include, among others, engaging in political activities directly or indirectly, and distributing profits to their members.
Do civil society organizations have the right to communicate, cooperate, and network with international entities?
In Libya, the right to communicate and cooperate internationally, form alliances, and join international networks requires authorization from the State. This is stipulated in Article (208) of the Libyan Penal Code (“Establishing or joining non-political international associations without permission”).
It states that any person who establishes, founds, organizes, or manages within the country—without government authorization, or with authorization obtained based on false or incomplete information—any non-political international association, body, system, or branch thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment.
It also stipulates that anyone who joins such associations, bodies, or systems, as well as any Libyan residing in the country who joins or participates in any way without government authorization in any such organizations headquartered abroad, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and a fine not exceeding two hundred dinars.
This provision places legal responsibility on individuals for participating in or joining any international organization without obtaining state authorization. The penalty may extend to imprisonment, particularly if the international organization is not registered in Libya or does not have a legal presence within the country.