Law No. (12) of 1984 on prohibiting the use of foreign languages and numerals in all transactions

Law No. (12) of 1984
on prohibiting the use of foreign languages and numerals in all transactions

The General People’s Congress

In implementation of the decisions issued by People’s Congresses in their third ordinary session of 1392-1393 FDP, corresponding to 1983 AD, formulated by the General Forum of People’s Congresses, People’s Committees, syndicates, professional associations and unions (the General People’s Congress) in the ninth ordinary session held from 8-13 Jumada al-Awwal 1393 FDP, corresponding to 11-16 July 1984 AD;

has drafted the following law:

Article (1)

It shall be prohibited to use any language other than Arabic or any foreign numerals in all letters, documents, signboards, advertisements and publications in the Great Social People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

It shall also be prohibited to write in any language other than Arabic on means of transportation and all other vehicles, and on building facades or on roads.

The prohibition in this Article shall also include writing foreign words or expressions in Arabic letters.

Article (2)

The following exceptions shall be made to the provisions of Article (1):

1. Reciprocity;
2. Medical and scientific reports;
3. Foreign terms and expressions that have not been translated into Arabic and that have no equivalent in Arabic, on the condition that it is not possible to find an Arabic expression for them;

Article (3)

All foreign institutions, companies or bodies working in the Great Social People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and using any foreign language in their correspondence must attach an Arabic translation to every transaction.

However, the General People’s Committee may grant an exemption to any of those bodies from being subject to the provisions of this Article, provided that they abide by the principle of reciprocity in this regard.

Article (4)

Anyone who breaches the provisions of this law shall be imprisoned for a period of no more than one month or fined an amount of money of no less than LYD 30 and not exceeding LYD 200, or both of these penalties.

In all cases, the contravention shall be removed at the expense of the perpetrator.

Article (5)

This law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from its date of issuance.

The General People’s Congress – Libya

Issued on 19 Rajab 1393 FDP

Corresponding to 19 April 1984 AD