A/HRC/11/37
663. With regard to recommendation 11 on administrative detention, the Crime
Prevention Act was a law to prevent crimes, particularly murder, honour crimes and theft,
through the action of the Administrative Governor, whose resolutions and decisions were
reviewed by the judiciary and the High Court of Justice, to make sure that the enforcement
of authority was not arbitrary and that abuses were sanctioned. The Act was applied to three
categories of people, according to their level of danger in society. The Director of Public
Security periodically examined the situation of detainees, releasing those who were not
considered a real threat to society. A total of 700 people had been released in the first third
of 2009.
664. With regard to recommendation 12, Jordan noted that there was no penal sanction
for a person who changed religion. Any discrimination practised stemmed from single
individuals. The Government tried to protect persons converting to another religion from
any act against them.
665. With regard to recommendation 13, civil society organizations called for the
amendment of the law on societies. The Government had responded by convening many
meetings with the unions, and a draft amended law was prepared with the collaboration of
many civil society organizations. The draft would be reviewed at the special session of
Parliament in June 2009.
666. With regard to recommendation 14, the Government was currently reviewing the
proposal for the establishment of an independent electoral commission, and a committee
had been set up to prepare a draft law on elections.
667. Regarding recommendation 15, Jordan noted that the law on crimes of terrorism was
a preventive tool designed to respect public rights. Crimes punishable under this law
included the financing of terrorist acts and recruitment into terrorist groups. Allegations
would be duly studied by the court to ascertain intention and premeditation. Furthermore,
the law did not grant any special authority to the security apparatus, and security measures
must be in conformity to the penal law applicable to these crimes, within laws and
regulations on human rights. Competent authorities continued to work on the law.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review
outcome
668. The United Arab Emirates noted that the acceptance by Jordan of most of the review
recommendations was a clear expression of its determination to cooperate with human
rights mechanisms. It was proud of the serious work done by Jordan in integrating human
rights principles into its national legislation, in accordance with the international
instruments that it had ratified. It noted the efforts made to promote the rights of the child
through the national plan of action for children, and mentioned the provision of training and
awareness-raising courses on human rights in the judicial system. Particularly, the United
Arab Emirates commended Jordan for its efforts to promote the right to health and medical
services.
669. Algeria commended Jordan for its efforts to advance the rights of women, combat
violence against women, allow them to participate in decision-making and fight against
some social prejudices. Jordan had played a pioneering role in the protection of the rights of
persons with disabilities by creating a supreme council for persons with disabilities and
adopting a national strategy to promote their rights. It called on Jordan to share its
experience in this regard with other countries. It welcomed Jordan’s efforts to promote the
rights of migrant workers in keeping with Algeria’s recommendation. Algeria indicated that
it had asked Jordan to request technical assistance from OHCHR in order to submit overdue
treaty bodies periodic reports.
GE.09-16766
159
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