JPA calls for immediate release of journalist Jamal Haddad

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Thursday received the State Security Court (SSC) prosecutor's notice on the detention of Jamal Haddad, for writing a report about a number of officials who have received the coronavirus vaccine, with no official announcement has been made about the arrival of the vaccine in Jordan or the launch of a vaccination campaign.

Calling for the immediate release of the journalist, the syndicate, in a statement, expressed rejection of referring journalists to the SSC and prosecuting them on the basis of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, stressing that cases related to freedom of expression do not come under the jurisdiction of the SSC.

The statement also voiced rejection of journalists’ detention for cases related to publication, considering “it a pre-punishment and restriction on freedom of expression”.

The JPA also stressed that it will reject any amendments to the legislation regarding the arrest of journalists for publishing issues, calling for journalists’ referral to be restricted to civil courts.