Country: Jordan

Perceived to be one of the most stable countries in the region, human rights in Jordan continue to be severely undermined by abusive measures within the framework of counterterrorism.

The broad and vaguely defined 2014 Anti-Terrorism Law allows for abuses to be committed by the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) and the State Security Court (SSC). The GID, which is directly controlled by the king, routinely subject detainees to torture and hold them incommunicado. The SSC, an exceptional jurisdiction whose judges are appointed by the executive, systematically sentences defendants to heavy penalties following severely unfair trials during which confessions extracted under torture are admitted as evidence.

Furthermore, peaceful dissenting voices are systematically brought before the SSC on trumped-up charges of terrorism, which are, in certain cases, coupled with accusations of lèse-majesté. Journalists and media workers face additional restrictions and often practice self-censorship to avoid facing prosecution.

Enforced disappearances in the context of transnational repression in the MENA

1 Introduction 1.1 Transnational repression in the MENA According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), transnational repression refers to “acts conducted or directed by a State, or its proxy, to deter, silence or punish dissent, criticism or human rights advocacy towards it, expressed from outside its territory.”[1] These acts often […]

Joint statement: The blocking of news websites in Jordan is a grave violation of freedom of expression and the right to access information

On 14 May 2025, the Jordanian Media Commission issued an order for ISPs to block at least 12 news websites, most of which are independent media outlets. The decision lacked an official detailed announcement, including the legal basis for the blocking. Instead, authorities provided vague justifications through media channels, invoking broad and imprecise terms such as […]

Jordan: Report submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee

1. Introduction This submission focuses on Jordan’s obligation to respect the principle of non-refoulement in the context of extradition proceedings. These abuses implicate violations of Article 7 the Covenant and touch upon fair trial guarantees enshrined in article 9 and 14 of the ICCPR. 2. Extradition and prohibition of refoulement (article 7) 2.2. Legal framework 2.1.1. […]

Palestinian-Jordanian journalist jailed for expressing her support for Palestine

Hiba Abu Taha is a Palestinian-Jordanian freelance investigative journalist who was arrested by security forces without prior notice on May 13, 2024 while she was driving her car in the town of Ain al-Basha, northwest of Amman. Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the Jordanian Media Commission, a governmental agency responsible for enforcing press […]

Jordan: Crackdown on pro-Palestine activism

In this analysis, MENA Rights Group highlights the recent and ongoing crackdown by Jordanian authorities since October 2023 targeting individuals for online expression and peaceful protests in solidarity with Palestinians, and critical of the Jordanian authorities’ policies and practices vis-à-vis Israel.

Jordan must end crackdown on pro-Palestine activism

MENA Rights Group strongly condemns the Jordanian authorities’ ongoing crackdown on pro-Palestine activism and has appealed to several UN Special Rapporteurs, urging them to call for its immediate halt.

Jordanian peaceful protestor arrested for her support for Palestine

Fatima Shubeilat was arrested on April 17, 2024, after a video circulated on social media of her participating in a pro-Gaza sit-in near the Israeli embassy in Amman on March 30, 2024. On April 17, 2024, Shubeilat was arrested at a shopping mall in the Marj al-Hamam area of Amman. She was taken to the Central […]

Jordanian teacher jailed for expressing his support for Palestine

Sameer Nemrawi is a Jordanian teacher and political activist who has expressed his support for Palestine, notably calling for demonstrations in support of Gaza, and criticising the economic situation of Jordan on his social media platforms. On November 7, 2023, while he was absent from his home, Nemrawi’s house was raided by security forces, who […]

Civil society, UN Special Rapporteur alarmed about transnational repression in the MENA region

During an event at the UN Headquarters in New York, civil society organisations and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism raised their concerns regarding the troubling pattern of transnational repression in the MENA region.

UN Committee urges Jordan to respect its obligations under the Convention against Torture

MENA Rights Group welcomes the United Nations (UN) Committee against Torture’s recommendations for Jordan to respect its obligations under the Convention against Torture. Jordanian authorities must work toward abolishing the practice of torture, holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring legal safeguards are afforded to all detainees, and prohibiting unlawful extraditions. On November 6 and 7, 2024, […]