Supreme Court revokes press law

Jordan's Supreme Court of Justice yesterday revoked a temporal press law which came into effect in 1997. The law was highly criticized as threatening public freedom.

The resolution vetoed the suspension of several weekly newspapers. It was overwhelmingly welcomed in Jordan.

"In accordance with the article 94 of the Constitution, the executive authorities have been authorized to make laws," in certain circumstances, the resolution stated. "The court realized that the temporal law was in contrary to the constitution." it said.

"The resolutions being appealed rested on this temporal law; thus they are to be canceled," the court said.

Jordan's minister of state for information welcomed the court's resolution. "We are a democratic government that respects the constitution and law, and we will abide by the court's decision," Samir Mutawa'a said. The ministry had not been officially informed of the resolution, he added.

"As far as we will be officially informed we will execute it as per the machinery being adopted in such cases," he assured.