Jordan Times
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Deputies say
anti-terrorism bill will pass with minor changes
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — Several deputies said on Monday that the
ratification of the controversial anti-terrorism bill will go “smoothly” during
Parliament’s current extraordinary session.
The draft law, which allows the government to try an individual for “thinking
about” carrying out acts of terrorism, was drafted in the aftermath of Nov. 9,
2005, bombings in Amman, in which 60 people were killed.
Deputy Zuheir Abul Ragheb (Amman, Third District), a member of the Islamic
Action Front and the House Legal Committee said the draft law will surely pass
with minor changes.
“The government and the majority of deputies have common agendas, therefore it
will be very easy to pass the law,” said Abul Ragheb, who warned of “negative
repercussions” for democracy in the country if the draft law is passed.
Although some MPs initially resisted the bill, several others believe the
government’s “iron-fist policy” with the Islamists might quash opposing voices,
with lawmakers preferring to lay low, several deputies told The Jordan Times.
Furthermore, some parliamentarians say the House lacks the political will to
stand against the government.
“This is a weak Parliament. It has no freedom, therefore it cannot be expected
to stand strong against the government,” according to Deputy Mustafa Shneikat (Balqa,
First District).
The Parliament is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to discuss a number of
pressing pieces of political and economic reform legislation.
Among the bills on the table for tomorrow’s session is the draft anti-terrorism
law, which government provided to Parliament earlier this month.
Lower House Speaker Abul Hadi Majali is expected to refer the bill to the House
Legal Committee for study and recommendation.
The anti-terrorism bill includes measures to identify, prosecute, convict and
punish terrorists.
It also permits law enforcement and security agencies intelligence gathering
capabilities, such as putting individuals under tight surveillance, freezing
their financial assets and restricting travel.
Additionally, the bill grants authorities the power to hold any terror suspect
for questioning for two weeks and penalise those who are perceived by the
government to endanger the lives and property of citizens, whether inside or
outside of the country. The detention period could be extended up to two months.
One week following the November bombings in Amman, the government announced
plans to issue an anti-terrorism bill as part of new protective measures.
Deputy Fakhri Iskandar (Balqa, First District) says Jordan “needs” an
anti-terrorism law in order to stop other attacks.
“We have to fight terrorism and all intellectuals in the country think the
same,” said Iskandar, from the conservative Mahes District.
Scores of local and international human rights groups implored Parliament to
reject the bill, saying it infringes on human rights and personal freedoms.
“The draft law judges people on their intentions rather than their actions,”
Assem Rababeh from Adaleh Human Rights group told The Jordan Times, warning of
an eminent tightening on public freedoms if it is passed.