House endorses draft amendments to human rights centre law

AMMAN — The Lower House on Sunday approved draft amendments to the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) law.

MPs discussed the term “to protect” stated in the bill. 

The term was a disputed matter after the House returned the bill last Sunday to its human rights committee for further revision to ensure its constitutionality since the NCHR does not have the authority of law enforcement.

“The term ‘to protect’ falls under the awareness aspect and following up to ensure human rights are respected, since the NCHR does not have the authority to make arrests. That is an exclusive judiciary measure,” Central Badia MP Sleiman Zaben, the head of the human rights committee, said at the legislative session. 

NCHR Commissioner General Mousa Burayzat said the centre is “the only internationally accredited institution for human rights in Jordan”. 

The centre, he said, has received an “A-status” accreditation from the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions.

“Without the accreditation, the centre will be weak. We [NCHR] have to fulfil some conditions to keep our A status, and today’s approval brought the centre half-way,” Burayzat added.

He also highlighted that the term “to protect” does not encroach upon the judicial authority in any way, adding that it is the NCHR’s responsibility to monitor and report human rights conditions to the involved institutions.

“The comments by Minister of Justice Awad Mashagbeh and head of the House human rights committee MP Sleiman Zaben [at the House session] held a strong position to ensure the best for the NCHR,” Burayzat said.

In their comments at the session, however, some lawmakers did not take into account the nature of the NCHR as an entity working in accordance with international standards and requirements, the chief commissioner argued.

Also speaking at Sunday’s session, Deputy Saleh Armouti (Amman, 3rd District), who is a former president of the Jordan Bar Association, said: “I support using the term ‘to protect’ since it does not affect the authority of judicial institutions.”

Jerash MP Wafaa Bani Mustafa, a member of the human rights committee, stated that “the NCHR functions as a surveillance entity over public opinion and judicial institutions”.

“The approval of this bill falls directly in line with the commitment of Jordan to uphlding human rights conventions and treaties,” Bani Mustafa added.

The Chamber also discussed provisions related to the NCHR board members’ independence, terms in office and authority. 

During the session, lawmakers voted down a proposal to add another amendment to the law stipulating that members of the centre’s board of commissioners should hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant sector and must possess experience in the human rights field.

According to the approved bill, the NCHR has the right to follow up on compensations for victims affected by human rights abuses. 

Centre officials can also visit and report any public place or juridical person where human rights abuses have been reported.