Human Rights Watch (4/7): Jordan Draft Bill Would Muzzle Civil Society

[Jack Rabbit]

Press release from Human Rights Watch
Dateline New York Thursday April 7

Jordan: Draft Bill Would Muzzle Civil Society

A draft law before Jordan's parliament would close a window of free expression and assembly for the more than 120,000 members of the country's professional associations, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Jordan's new prime minister.

Human Rights Watch expressed concern with several provisions of the new draft law, including the requirement that professional associations obtain pre-written approval from the Interior Ministry to hold a public gathering or meeting. The law, which was presented to parliament on March 6, would also require associations to limit topics of discussion at any of their professional meetings, councils and committee meetings exclusively to "professional matters."

"This law is a naked attempt to silence the vocal and often critical public debate that the professional associations foster," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "It is a major step backwards in Jordan's commitment to human rights, and parliament should reject it at once."

The new draft law also would create a government-controlled disciplinary structure with the authority to punish and suspend members from the practice of their profession for a variety of vague, ill-defined infractions, including "directing an association out of its professional mandate" or "harming the honor of a profession."

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Another example of democracy on the march in the Middle East.