AMMAN — A report on the
state of human rights in Jordan for the year 2021, issued by the
US State Department on Tuesday, has revealed several human rights violations.
اضافة اعلان
Among those
mentioned in the extensive report are: cases of torture, humiliation, and
punitive treatment in government centers, arbitrary arrests, arrests of
political prisoners, severe restrictions on freedom of expression and the
media, including censorship laws which, it said, the authorities had used to restrict
criticism of public officials and to restrict public discussion, as well as gag
orders issued by the public prosecutor.
The report also
mentioned severe restrictions on internet freedom, extensive interference in
peaceful assembly, or restricting freedom of assembly, including laws
restricting the right to form associations, and the absence of investigation
and accountability for gender-based violence.
Founder and Director
of the
Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists Nidal Mansour told
Jordan News
that he agrees with parts of the reports, which document violations of freedom
of speech and freedom of the press.
He added that the
report should concern the government, which should also pay attention to
national reports issued by
civil society organizations; these, Mansour said,
can serve as a point of reference for the government, which can use them “to
correct wrongdoings and dysfunctional policies and set plans that allow it to
move forward in improving the status of human rights”.
“The government
should be keen on protecting human rights irrespective of whether the US State
Department issued a report,” he said, expressing hope that improvements will
occur and stressing that “Jordan has an opportunity to turn challenges into
success stories”.
“Jordan is
transitioning to democracy, and with the right effort and political
determination, it can become a country that fully respects human rights,”
Mansour said.
Commissioner-General
of the
National Center for Human Rights Alaa Armouti told
Jordan News that he
agrees with the part of the report that talks about violations of freedom of
speech and press freedom, refuting accusations that there is mistreatment in
prisons.
He conceded
however that “it could happen at temporary detention centers since there is
lack of supervision”.
He added that the
report should push the government to address the “alleged violations” and
improve the
human rights situation in Jordan, adding that “such reports could
impact other countries’ positions on and perceptions of Jordan, especially when
it comes to providing grants and aid”.
“Good governance
and political pragmatism dictate that such reports should be given due
consideration,” Armouti stressed.
The government did
not issue an official comment about the report.
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