A/HRC/11/29 Page 6 18. On freedom of opinion and expression, the Constitution protects the right to speak out, to write and to publish. The 1998 Press and Publications Law and its amendments govern the freedom of the press. It is not possible to hold any journalist accountable for his or her opinions. Everybody has the right to obtain information from sources and it is not possible to compel any journalist to reveal his sources. The law does not allow detention of a journalist. In addition, it allows citizens to reach information. Law No. 27 of 2007 has been promulgated to ensure the right to obtain information, in line with the international trend in this respect. 19. The Constitution provides for the right of association and the right of assembly and the holding of public meetings. There are thousands of licensed associations in Jordan. Associations can have legal personality, undertake voluntary work, guarantee equality amongst their members and should be non-profit. Yet, some civil society and the international organizations have called for some amendments to this law and in specific areas and, therefore, a committee has been formed to prepare a new draft in order to amend the existing law. As for the right of assembly, Jordan does not have any reservations to the relevant article in ICCPR. However, the application of this right is regulated in a manner that ensures the protection of public order and people’s property. Jordan is considering a number of alternatives to improve the exercise of this right and no ideas in this respect are excluded. 20. The same applies to the law governing political parties. It allows freedom to form political parties and entitles parties to utilize the facilities provided by the State. It prohibits the formation of parties along religious or sectarian lines. The right to vote and to stand for election is also protected by the law for everybody, male and female. There are safeguards to ensure women’s participation in the Lower House, and there are at least six women in the Assembly. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 21. During the inter-active dialogue, statements were made by 53 delegations. A number of delegations congratulated the delegation of Jordan for its comprehensive presentation of the national report, prepared in cooperation with relevant stakeholders. Jordan’s significant role in the Human Rights Council institution-building process was evoked and the Kingdom was commended for its great achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights through, inter alia, the work and the activities of the “A”-status National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) the National Coalition for Children established in 2007, the Complaints and Human Rights Office within the Public Security Directorate and the recent opening of the Family Protection Centre. Appreciation was also expressed for a number of policies, including the National Plan of Action for Children, the National Project on the Employment of Women and the National Aids programme in addition to effective strategies for the reduction of poverty and the dissemination of health care. A number of delegations underlined that Jordan was generously hosting several hundred thousand Palestinian refugees and Iraqis. Cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and with OHCHR was also welcomed. 22. Algeria recommended (a) that Jordan pursue its policy aiming at enshrining human rights principles in national legislation in accordance with international standards and continue its constructive cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. It encouraged Jordan’s efforts and willingness (b) to submit periodic reports, which have suffered some delays, to treaty bodies, and urged it to seek appropriate technical assistance from OHCHR if deemed necessary. Algeria recommended that (c) the Kingdom should continue to move towards the promotion of women’s rights and to further strengthen equality between women and men as well as efforts undertaken aimed at putting an end to certain customary social practices which sometimes stand