A/HRC/25/9 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its seventeenth session from 21 October to 1 November 2013. The review of Jordan was held at the 7th meeting on 24 October 2013. The delegation of Jordan was headed by H.E. Dr. Mohammad Hussein Al Momani, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications. At its 14th meeting, held on 31 October 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Jordan. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Jordan: Libya, Montenegro and Thailand. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Jordan: (a) A national report submitted or written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/JOR/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/JOR/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/JOR/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Jordan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. In his introduction the head of the Jordanian delegation emphasized that the universal periodic review formed a chance for Jordan to assess its human rights situation based on self-criticism and reiterated Jordan’s commitment to collaborating with all partners to ensure the success of the mechanism and the success of the Human Rights Council. 6. The delegation stated that over the past four years, there has been unprecedented progress in terms of reform and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, despite the serious security implications and disorder witnessed in the region. These regional developments did not slow down the reform, but the Arab Spring, as His Majesty King Abdullah has repeatedly affirmed, is an opportunity to accelerate the reform process as a domestically-driven process and a model for the region. Jordanian reform is gradual and rooted in peaceful transformation, pluralism, societal consensus, tolerance and respect for the opinions of others. 7. The delegation stated that the pillars of the reform are rooted in the Constitution which guarantees the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. Accordingly, two years ago about one third of the articles of the Constitution were amended in compliance with international standards. The amended Constitution prohibits any violations of rights and freedoms, upholds dignity and provides physical and moral 3