The pictures in this photostream document Libya’s early challenges and accomplishments as the nation strives to become a democracy in the aftermath of the Gaddafi regime’s legacy of repression and the fighting that led to its overthrow.

All images are part of an exhibition entitled “Libya in Transition: Helping to Build a New Democratic Libya”, which was produced by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), a political mission overseen by the Department of Political Affairs, and displayed at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 29 January to 6 February 2013.

The photographs depict Libya’s first democratic elections in half a century, in July 2012, and the excitement surrounding them. For most people, it was the first-time ever participating in elections; others had waited nearly a lifetime to vote again.

The images also touch upon other challenges that Libya, with the support of UNSMIL, is working to address as it transitions from dictatorship to democracy, including improving security, respect for human rights, establishing transitional justice, demining and increasing women’s participation in all facets of society.

For more information:
unsmil.unmissions.org/
www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/