Jordan’s reform process rooted in solid foundation — Senate president

AMMAN — Jordan has a solid base to enhance the reform process and instill the democratic experience, especially given that the Kingdom has, since its foundation, been implementing reform procedures to keep pace with developments and draw a better future for the country, Senate President Faisal Fayez said on Saturday.

Attending a discussion panel at the Royal Cultural Centre titled: “Constitutional achievements of His Majesty King Abdullah”, Fayez said that any state that seeks to adopt a reform approach has to have specific indicators to measure the approach. 

Fayez added that these indicators can be seen through a constitution that protects public freedoms, ensures equality, guarantees freedom of speech and maintains the dignity of citizens.

The Senate president said that His Majesty, since assuming constitutional powers, has devoted strong political will for the reform process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He also referred to the first constitutional amendments during King Abdullah’s reign in 2011. These amendments include 38 articles that stress that defending the homeland, its territories and the unity of its people as a “sacred duty”.

Fayez noted that these amendments consider any attack on public rights and freedoms a punishable crime under law, where no citizen can be apprehended or imprisoned except under the law. 

The amendments also resulted in the establishment of the Constitutional Court and Judicial Council, enhanced the authority of Parliament and judges, and established an independent commission to supervise and run parliamentary elections and any other elections approved by the Cabinet, Fayez added.