Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 23, 2005
Jordan keen to consolidate respect for human rights — King
AMMAN (JT) — King Abdullah on Monday said Jordan
was keen to consolidate respect for human freedom and dignity, ensure the rule
of law and achieve justice and equality in society.
The King told Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Human
Rights (NCHR) Ahmad Obeidat at a meeting that the government and all relevant
parties should review human rights laws and legislation in Jordan to avert any
violations, a Royal Court statement said.
The meeting, attended by General Commissioner for Human Rights in Jordan Shaher
Bak, was part of the King’s follow-up on the NCHR’s 2005 report.
The report said numerous changes of governments negatively affected the
democratic process, which lacked significant or positive development in civil
and political rights.
King Abdullah yesterday said a comprehensive plan was being drawn up to improve
prison conditions in Jordan and to ensure that they comply with international
standards.
According to the report, authorities were reforming prisons and rehabilitation
centres, but many problems remained, including a deficiency in healthcare, weak
rehabilitation programmes, violence and drug use among inmates and the use of
force by security officials.
The King said he appreciated the NCHR’s role in perusing human rights issues.
Obeidat, for his part, commended the King for giving prominence to human rights,
adding that the meeting also emanated from the Monarch’s keenness to listen to
different viewpoints.
He added that the discussion included Jordan’s position on major international
human rights agreements endorsed by the Kingdom, including the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, Convention Against Torture, Anti-Racism Agreement,
as well as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and
the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Obeidat added that the centre will maintain an open channel with the government
to ensure implementation of these agreements. He also said that the NCHR has
seen some positive indications this year and that the centre’s recommendations
on human rights issues were being taken into consideration. He pointed to the
formation of a committee at the Ministry of Labour to review the Labour Law to
ensure it conforms to international standards.
He added that the centre was aware of the prison reform plan and said that it is
taking positive steps, regardless of the latest incidents and problems.
“We are talking here of a systematic approach to reform prisons in accordance
with international standards,” he said.