HRW urges Jordan to ‘renew moratorium on death penalty’

AMMAN — Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday that Jordan joined “a worrying regional trend towards increasing executions” when it hanged 15 men on Saturday. Those executed included 10 convicted in six terrorist attacks between 2003 and 2016, and five convicted in murder and rape cases.

“Jordan should lead by example on rights and protection, and renew its moratorium on the death penalty,” an HRW statement quoted Sarah Leah Whitson, the organisation’s Middle East director, as saying. Between 2006 and 2014, Jordan maintained an eight-year moratorium on the death penalty. Authorities ended the moratorium on December 21, 2014, executing 11 individuals for murder.