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News and Additional Resources
While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly
change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us
informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.
End protester trials in state security courts (November 2012)
Jordanian authorities should stop using state security courts to try civilians, including for participating in
peaceful protests. Protests have intensified following an announcement by the government on November 14,
2012 that it would end fuel subsidies. [...]“Instead of respecting the right to peaceful protest, the Jordanian
authorities are using what remains essentially a military court to punish civilians, including peaceful
protesters,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Authorities should stop using
the special security courts to try civilians, and recognize that peaceful assembly is not a crime.”
UN food relief agency chief stresses need to strengthen aid to Syrian refugees (November 2012)
The head of the United Nations food relief agency said the world body and its partners are intensifying their
efforts to assist Syrian refugees who continue to grow in numbers due to the violence in the Middle Eastern
country. “The humanitarian situation is evolving on a daily basis and we must ensure that we can continue to
meet the food needs of those affected by the conflict,” said Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of the UN
World Food Programme (WFP), during a visit to the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.
Protesters call for king's 'downfall' as demonstrations escalate (November 2012)
Around 2,000 people called for the removal Jordan's King Abdullah at a rally in downtown Amman on Friday
in protest of fuel price hikes, in a marked escalation of street anger in the third day of demonstrations in the
kingdom. Criticizing the King in public is forbidden in Jordan and is punishable by up to three years in jail.
Jordanian website owners reject attempts to gag them (September 2012)
Among the most important rights achieved by Arab demonstrators in the past two years are the freedoms of
assembly and of expression. Millions of Arabs gathered demanding an end to autocratic rules and a share in
the political decision-making processes in their countries. Now Jordanians are fighting back against
restrictions on their online activities.
Demonstrators call for release of jailed protesters (September 2012)
Hundreds of Jordanians called for the release of over one-dozen jailed protesters as demonstrations over the
men's detention stretched into their third week. Dozens of leftist and independent activists hit the streets in
cities across the country calling for the "immediate release" of 18 protesters arrested earlier this month,
accusing the authorities of enforcing "martial law".
Jordan moves to censor online freedom of expression (September 2012)
A proposed law requiring electronic publications to obtain a license and granting executive authorities the
power to close down unlicensed sites threatens the freedom of expression online. The government on August
22, 2012, sent the draft amendments to the Press and Publications law to parliament for approval.
Jordanians protest Internet censorship law with SOPA-style blackout (August 2012)
The United States, Russia, and Malaysia have all recently protested proposed Internet censorship laws by
having websites “go dark” to demonstrate what the web would look like without them. Today Jordanian
netizens have launched their own Internet blackout. In addition to the blackout, thousands have signed a
petition addressed to Jordanian MPs, and participants are tweeting using the hashtag #BlackOutJO.
Women CSO activists prepare for post-Arab Spring environment in MENA (July 2012)
A group of women activists from around the MENA region stressed the need to empower women economically
to face any threats to their rights that might result from the Arab Spring revolutions. The call came during a
one-day meeting of women activists, journalists, politicians and leaders in the women's rights movement from
11 countries in the region with US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer. Lawyer
Fatimeh Dabbas said women in Jordan should continue to "press the government to ensure that the gains
made by the women's movement over the past 20 years are safe and secured." During Verveer’s visit, she is
scheduled to meet with government officials, political party representatives, business leaders and the media,
to discuss specific steps to support Jordan's efforts to increase women's engagement in politics, the economy,
and society at large. She will also discuss Jordan's participation in the G-8's Broader Middle East and North
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