Human Rights Issues in Jordan

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Women's Rights

Violence and discrimination against women are particularly preoccupying. One of the most serious abuses towards women is killings perpetrated under the cover of 'honour crimes'. The importance of the phenomenon of honour crimes is difficult to report since there are no reliable statistics. Impunity of these crimes is guaranteed the Jordan Penal Code which excuses men who kill “their wife or a close female relative” if they act out of 'fury' or in case of adultery.

Marital rape is not criminalised. Although women have the right to search legal remedy in case of any physical abuses by their husband, it is very difficult in practice because of the social and cultural pressure. Women continue to suffer legal discrimination in Jordan particularly concerning their freedom of movement, inheritance rights (female heirs receive half the heritage perceived by males), child custody and social benefits.

Freedom of Expression
A new draft law on press and publication including important guarantees to the right of freedom of expression has been introduced recently. However, censorship remains important, as about 20 laws concern the press. For example, concerning television broadcasting, the law still restricts the right to broadcast « anything that threatens national unity (...) provoke terrorism, racism or religious discrimination or affect badly the kingdom relationship with other countries ».

In practice, many cases of censorship were reported and numerous books are banned on the basis of religious, moral and political grounds. The government interferes with internet access by blocking websites. Additionally, academic freedom is restricted.

Freedom of Association
The Jordanian Constitution grants the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. However, the Minister of Interior has the right to close and dissolve any association without prior notice if the organisation is in breach of the Jordanian law.

The public gathering law restricts the right to hold meetings. The government must give its approval before any demonstration. Demonstrating without prior consent of the relevant authority involves an important fine and up to six months imprisonment.

Migrants & Refugees
Foreign domestic workers are excluded from the Jordan labour law and consequently do not benefit from any legal safeguards. It is reported that violence against female domestic workers is widespread, as well as confiscation of travel documents by employers.

There are more than 1,7 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Although Jordanians of Palestinian origin are entitled the same rights and although they are an outright majority of the total population of Jordan, they claim a de facto discrimination. They suffer discrimination in relation to access to jobs in the public sector, universities and scholarships. Many Palestinians live in 10 over-populated refugee camps, which make their conditions of living very difficult, especially regarding the right to housing, to education, and the right to health.

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Updated 01-09-2006