AMMAN — Several Jordanian lawyers and human rights advocates
have issued a statement condemning what they describe as "arbitrary
measures" taken by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Jordan
against the Associated and Deliverance Party and its members.
اضافة اعلان
The lawyers and activists expressed their concern over what
they described is a fierce attack and
harsh pressure faced by the party due to recent actions taken by the
commission, AmmanNet reported.
The IEC recently decided to return the affiliation papers of
approximately 135 members of the Associated and Deliverance Party and reserve
their party membership.
The commission required the party to provide evidence of
"the absence of a judicial ruling that violates honor or public morals and
ethics" before reinstating their membership.
Party's response and IEC delayThe Associated and Deliverance Party criticized the
commission for its untimely response, which came just one day before the
deadline for parties to hold their general conferences.
Despite submitting their lists to the commission on April
19, the party had to wait three weeks for a response, causing further
frustration and delays.
The party, on April 19, submitted a request to rectify its
status in accordance with the new political parties law. Initially, they
included the names of 1,080 members, and later added 35 more, surpassing the
required minimum of 1,000 members.
However, within 48 hours of submitting the lists,
approximately 80 members resigned, citing significant security pressures.
To compensate for the resignations, the party provided the
commission with additional names. They planned to hold their general conference
on Saturday, May 13, just one day before the legal deadline.
Commission's response and legal requirementsOn Wednesday, May 10, the commission responded to the
party's request to rectify their status by stating that about 135 members did
not meet the legal requirements due to ongoing cases against them.
The lawyers argued that, according to the Political Parties
Law, party membership does not require a certificate of Non-Criminal Record
certificate or a clean criminal record. Article 6 specifies that a member
should not have been convicted of an offense that violates honor, morality, or
public decency.
The burden of proof lies with the IEC, not the member, to
invalidate party membership.
Lawyers raise concerns over rejected namesVarious lawyers and activists express concern over the
rejection of names that include political activists and journalists facing
trials related to political and opinion-related cases, AmmanNet reported.
In response, the spokesperson for the IEC, Muhammad Khair
Al-Rawashdeh, clarified in a press interview that the commission does not
require a certificate of Non-Criminal Record certificate as a condition for
accepting party membership.
However, he added, the commission may request such a
certificate for some individuals to ease the financial burden on the party.
Rawashdeh emphasized that the commission is committed to
implementing the law while facilitating the registration process for political
parties and their members.
Calls for respect of rights and legal processThe lawyers and activists who issued the statement expressed
their deep concern about the state of rights and freedoms in Jordan, urging
authorities to respect the constitutional right of Jordanians to establish
political parties.
They also condemned the illegal and arbitrary measures taken
against the Associated and Deliverance Party, including the alleged threats and
pressure on its members and their families to force them to resign.
These actions violate the constitutional and legal rights of
Jordanians, as stated in Article 4/2 of the Political Parties Law, which
explicitly prohibits attacks or punishment based on party affiliation.
The lawyers and activists argued that such pressure not only
undermines the right to establish political parties but also infringes upon
other fundamental rights, including the right to work, freedom of movement, and
personal safety. They highlighted that tactics such as preventing individuals
from traveling, terminating their employment, and resorting to physical threats
are reminiscent of outdated practices that contradict the authorities' claims
of political openness and reform.
The statement concluded with a call to the authorities to
adhere to the provisions of the constitution and the law, immediately cease
unconstitutional and illegal measures against individuals, civil society
organizations, and political parties, and specifically demand the removal of
obstructions hindering the Associated and Deliverance Party's efforts to rectify
its legal status.
Read more National news
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
