Women before Jordanian parliament in protest over rejection of forced divorce, honor killing laws
Jordan, Politics, 8/11/2003

Scores of women yesterday observed a sit-in in front of the Jordanian parliament in Amman in protest to the Jordanian parliament rejection of two provisional laws on the right of the woman to get divorced and so-called "honor killing."

The Islamic and conservative factions at the parliament said that giving the woman the right of divorce threatens dismembering the Jordanian family. The Jordanian parliament also rejected tightening penalty against those who commit honor crimes. Crimes of honor are considered in crimes that are the result of spousal infidelity.

More than 100 women gathered at the invitation of women gatherings and organizations chanted when each and every member of parliament passed in front of them to enter the parliament headquarters " we are your daughters, do not give us up." The psychology teacher at the Jordanian University, Arwa Ameri, said Ð- while expressing the views of women who observe the sit in, having women's organizations with her -- "we want to be able to get divorced when we want that and to have the right to freedom."

The chairperson of the league of protecting victims of family mistreatment, lawyer Reem Abu Hassan said that the women who are observing the sit in "are discussing the amendments proposed in the laws are derived from the Islamic jurisprudence and are not imported from the west, as stated by certain parliamentarians."

Two draft laws are to be submitted to Al- Ayan council (upper house) for debate. Political circles expect the council to also reject the two laws and to return them back to the parliament which, by its turn will send them to the government asking abrogation.

In 2000, the former Jordanian parliament rejected canceling one item in the law alleviating the sanctions imposed on those who commit crimes of honor, however, the government amended this article and approved the law in the absence of the parliament.

Worthy mentioning that the Jordanian government approved two transitional laws in the two past years when the Parliament was not in effect. The first law gives woman the right to divorce while the second law cancels an article alleviating sanctions against those who commit crimes of honor.

Previous Stories:
  Jordan: elections today, Islamists fear to be harassed   (6/17/2003)
  Jordan: Legislative elections, a test for the role of woman   (6/12/2003)
  Jordanian elections law amended; six parliamentary seats for women   (2/12/2003)
  Some 41 Jordanian women ask for divorce according to the new marital law   (2/22/2002)
  Jordanian women can appeal for divorce, raising marriage age   (12/15/2001)
  Jordan human rights report   (3/15/2001)
  Jordan's Queen Rania visits women's center   (3/10/2000)
  Demonstration in Jordan today over honor crimes   (2/14/2000)

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