For better human rights

His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday highlighted the importance of coordination between government and pertinent stakeholders in the endeavour to protect and enhance human rights in the country.

Upon receiving the 2016-2025 Comprehensive National Plan on Human Rights from Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the King stressed the significance of implementing the plan according to the timeline set as part of the national comprehensive reform process.

He urged those in charge of implementation to build on previous achievements in order to empower citizens and safeguard public rights and freedoms.

The plan stipulating what the country needs to do in the field of human rights was prepared by all those working in the human rights field in the country, including civil society and government agencies.

The 1993 Vienna summit on human rights called on countries to prepare and adopt periodic national human rights plans of action, on the basis of which states can be held accountable.

To be sure, Jordan made many advances in the field of human rights, with a view to meeting its obligations under the various international human rights treaties, but it remains behind in some areas, especially with regard to gender equality.

The proposed plan of action is, according to the justice minister, a comprehensive strategy that addresses the main human rights aspects.

That gives hope that any loopholes will be tackled and that, if needed, amendments will be introduced to certain laws, or even to the Constitution if necessary, in a manner that will ensure that the country can be proud of its human rights record.

The political will to fill the gaps in the Kingdom’s human rights record is there. All the government and its agencies need to do is to translate this determination into action, legislative and other.

The best and most effective way the government can ensure the success of this endeavour is to take full note of the observations of the various treaty bodies and UN specialised agencies, the like of ILO, UNESCO and WHO, to which Jordan is a member, as well as of the decisions of the UN Human Rights Council.