Acting upon report on human rights situation

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour responded positively, expeditiously and effectively to the most recent report of the National Centre for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Jordan by forming an inter-ministerial committee to examine the report and its recommendations, and report back within two months.

The committee comprises all the relevant ministries, in addition to representatives of the General Intelligence Department and the Public Security Department.

The challenge facing the government in this endeavour is formidable; the 2014 annual report contains criticism with regard to several human rights issues, including freedom of expression and press, the continued application of capital punishment and persistent claims of torture.

The report suggests that the legislation regarding prevention of torture needs to be revisited in order to make it more effective and fully compliant with the international convention against torture.

It also suggests that periodic visits to places of detention should be made in order to make sure that any allegation of ill treatment is properly investigated.

No less important is the call to examine laws governing freedom of the press with a view to assuring a higher degree of compliance with international norms.

With regard to the death penalty, the report noted that 11 executions in 2014 were viewed by NCHR as contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which does not outlaw capital punishment but calls for applying it only in the case of most serious crimes.

The committee will need to examine the charges in the report and make the necessary recommendations.

Of all violations raised in the report, the issue of the death penalty is probably the most complicated and controversial   since Jordan has not ratified the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that prohibits the application of this severe sentence.

The newly established committee will no doubt examine all observations made by the NCHR and act upon them in a manner consistent with applicable international standards.