Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Lower House endorses
Senate amendments to draft iftaa law
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — The Lower House endorsed Senate
amendments to the draft iftaa law on Monday, despite objection from several MPs,
mainly Islamists.
The Senate returned the bill to the Lower House earlier this week after it
scrapped Article 12, which grants the prime minister the option of consulting
with the new iftaa department on death sentences before the verdict is sent to
His Majesty the King for approval.
During their initial deliberation, deputies endorsed Article 12 after they
introduced an amendment under which the prime minister would be “obligated” to
ask the council for an opinion from the general mufti.
The bill initially drafted by the government gave the prime minister the choice
to consult with the department, but did not require it.
However, the Upper House disagreed with the deputies and cancelled the article
altogether.
The Senate Legal Committee said the article violates the Constitution and
infringes on legislative authority.
It also argued that the prime minister could still ask the department for its
opinion, “but does not need a clause in the law to exercise that option.”
However, several deputies, mainly from the Islamic Action Front said the Lower
House should insist on its stance to “force” the prime minister to consult with
the iftaa department on death sentences before the verdict is sent for approval.
Islamist MPs, including Nidal Abbadi (Amman, Sixth District), said it would be
better to make mistakes in pardons rather than in punishments.
“We are talking about human lives here, not a simple punishment,” Abbadi said.
Proponents of the article argued that a fatwa from the council was necessary and
would not violate the Constitution “because this country’s religion is Islam and
under Islam a fatwa must be issued before a man is executed,” Abbadi added.
Other deputies, including Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh (Irbid, Second District) and
Mahmoud Kharabsheh (Balqa, First District) said the article violates the
Constitution by “infringing” on the prime minister’s authority.
The bill is expected to be endorsed by the Senate this week, ahead of
ratification by His Majesty King Abdullah.
MPs voiced concern that the law would restrict freedoms and politicise religion.
They also claimed the draft law is against freedom of expression.
The iftaa law paves the way for establishing a new financially and politically
autonomous body tasked with issuing fatwas on matters of public concern, which
will be led by the newly created position of general mufti. The department will
include members from the government, public universities and the Armed Forces.
Also on Monday, deputies endorsed an amendment to the Banks Law, under which the
regulatory capital for banks was increased.
The Lower House had rejected the amendments, fearing possible corruption and
uncalculated risks by banks.
After the Senate approved the amendment, however, MPs changed their mind and
endorsed it.
The government said the draft amendment was necessary to encourage banks to
invest in local projects.
The Lower House also endorsed the Senate’s rejection of the amended General
Sales Tax Law.
The law was meant to regulate sales tax procedures on certain items and impose
heavier taxes on others like alcohol, cigarettes and telecommunication services.