Aung San Suu Kyi once said: “In a system that denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day” . This is the fundamental reality of Libyan citizens living under Gaddafi's repressive regime. Forced to conform to societal and partisan desires of the government, citizens live in constant fear. The foundations of terror on which Libyan society is built create an unstable environment that pushes people to commit acts of treason. Suleiman betrays his best friend Kareem when he tries to express his frustration at his lack of understanding of his home life. Baba and Mama end up betraying Suleiman when they send him to Egypt to protect him from the totalitarian and militaristic Libyan government. In the novel In the Land of Men by Hisham Matar, the author illustrates betrayal as a ramification of a grave environment rather than as an inveterate flaw of human nature. Suleiman's wayward home life and resentment of his family's secrecy lead him to betray his best friend Kareem. by calling his father a traitor. Suleiman is racked with frustration and anger as his mother hides the truth from him about his father's whereabouts and the stability inside his home crumbles. Suleiman's annoyance with his home life and his mother who "always lies" to him, leads him to express his anger against his friend Kareem during a game of My Land, Your Land (98). While playing the game, Suleiman antagonizes Kareem, taunting him in front of the other boys and revealing his secret “beloved” Leila (Matar 106). Suleiman continues to provoke Kareem by insinuating that “everyone” knew his father was a “traitor” (Matar 107). When Suleiman divulges Kareem's secrets and calls his father a traitor, he betrays Kareem... middle of paper ...... essive regime. Although Mama and Baba betrayed Suleiman by forcing him to grow up without his parents, their actions were an implication of their country's turbulent environment and an attempt to protect it. In the story In the Country of Men, Hisham Matar illustrates betrayal as an effect of an anarchic environment, rather than an intrinsic flaw in his character. Although Suleiman betrayed his best friend Kareem by calling his father a traitor, his actions stemmed from his unstable home and frustration with his parents. Baba and Mama betrayed Suleiman by sending him to Egypt and forcing him to grow up without parents; however, their actions were an attempt to save Suleiman from a dictatorial Libya. Although the characters in this novel have their imperfections, their display of infidelity is a consequence of Libya's instability rather than their character..