Amnesty International estimates that there are at least 1,000 political prisoners in Libya. The death penalty applies to a number of political offenses and economic crimes. Libya actively abducts and kills political dissidents in exile. Limited public debate occurs within government bodies, but free expression and free media do not exist in Libya. The state owns and controls all media and thus controls reporting of domestic and international issues.
Foreign programming is censored.
However, foreign journalists in Libya during the September revolutionary celebrations reported that they traveled freely throughout the country, and though they were encouraged to follow an official program, they encountered no interference from security officials. Political activity considered treasonous is punishable by death. Public assembly must support and be approved by the government. Instances of public unrest are rare. Some 98 percent of Libyans are Sunni Muslim.