Jordan Times
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Interior Ministry to
support efforts to rehabilitate women detainees
By Rana Husseini
AMMAN — Interior Minister Awni Yarvas on Tuesday
pledged full support for local organisations working to help free women who are
held in prison for their own safety in what is termed “protective custody.”
The number of women spending indefinite period in prison is currently estimated
at around 70, including some who are imprisoned without being convicted of any
offence, and others who have served their sentence but cannot be released for
their own safety.
“The minister informed us that he supports our initiative and urged us all to
work as one team to help these women find a better life,” said Eva Abu Halaweh
of Law Group for Human Rights — Mizan
The group has been meeting with activists, legal experts, journalists, and
representatives of the Family Protection Department, which is run by the police
and representatives from local and governmental institutes, to discuss these
cases over the past two months.
Last week, the group of activists launched the Jordanian Coalition to Help Women
in Protective Custody to give “these women new hope in life,” according to Abu
Halaweh.
The women include victims of rape, incest, rumours and others who became
pregnant out of wedlock, or were allegedly involved in extramarital affairs or
prostitution.
Many families refuse to accept the ex-inmates because they feel they have shamed
them and therefore cannot return to live at home, according to activists and
lawyers.
Meanwhile, the local press has reported many cases of families actually bailing
out their daughters with the intent of killing them to cleanse the family's
honour.
Each year, between 20 to 25 women are killed in so-called crimes of honour in
the Kingdom.
“We want to help these women because we know they are lonely and desperate and
deserve a better life,” Abu Halaweh told The Jordan Times.