American organization requests Jordan abolish laws restricting freedom

The American Human Rights Watch organization accused the Jordanian government of besieging the freedom of expression. The executive director of HRW in the Middle East, Hany Al Magally, confirmed that basic freedoms have greatly deteriorated, which in turn affected the ability of Jordanians to choose their candidates in the election due to be held on November 4.

He said that the election will be held in an atmosphere of constraints on the freedom of expression. He added that it is a cause of great worry to find citizens afraid of practicing peaceful political activities because they are afraid of being detained, put to trial and losing their jobs.

Al Magally called on the Jordanian government to abolish all the laws and restraints imposed on the freedom of expression. 3 weekly newspapers were closed due to the legal modifications which raised the minimum capital of any newspaper 20 times to reach $400 thousand.

HRW called for changes in the criminal law, especially the part dealing with criticizing the king which is considered a misdemeanor whose punishment might be up to 3 years' imprisonment.