September 20, 2022
Cited article by Human Rights Watch
HRRC calls for the Jordan government to reform its laws which are being used to silence and punish the rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The actions against those assembling peacefully in civic spaces is a violation of people's most basic rights.
Article Summary
In Jordan, citizens who are organizing peaceful protests in civic spaces have been facing increasing persecution and harassment by government authorities over the last four years. Reports say laws are vaguely worded and used to criminalize speech and assembly. Using these laws, authorities have detained, interrogated, and harassed journalists, political activists, and others. This treatment has extended to family members of those involved in "political dissent".
The Jordanian government has previously limited media freedoms in recent years. Political parties and independent trade unions also have been dissolved by the government after members protested or expressed political opposition. Despite calls for reform and change, Jordanian civic spaces have seen a decline in freedoms over the past year.