A/HRC/11/29
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programmes supported by, for example, the European Union and international organizations.
The Constitution guarantees women’s rights and promotes their participation in the political life.
Jordanian women have achieved great progress and this has been a very positive development.
60.
Special courts have been established to help the judiciary to examine cases requiring
specific expertise. Their rules and sentences can be submitted to the court of cassation.
Allegations that these courts do not observe due process and do not follow criminal procedures
are unfounded.
61.
As regards freedom of the press, there is no law that stipulates imprisonment of
journalists for expressing their views: journalists are free and masters of their own actions. Some
States had referred to an incident involving a journalist that occurred during a peaceful
demonstration to protest the onslaught on Gaza. It was a single and isolated incident and
happened because the person involved failed to distinguish himself from stone-throwers at a
sensitive location near the premises of a certain embassy
62.
Jordan adheres to the CRC. There are juvenile courts and special consultants who help
judges to hand down decisions in the best interest of the child. The law on juvenile justice has
been enacted and juveniles are not detained in rehabilitation centres for adults. Homeless
children are defined as children with special needs.
63.
Norway said that, despite positive developments regarding women’s rights, including the
increased resources to assist abused women and measures to increase employment opportunities,
concerns remain regarding their situation. Norway remains attentive to the situation of human
rights of women in Jordan. CEDAW, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report
that women are discriminated against within the legal system and that violence against women is
widespread. Norway recommended Jordan (a) withdraw its reservations to CEDAW, (b) modify
or repeal discriminatory legislation, including discriminatory provisions in its Personal Status
Act, Criminal Code and Nationality Act; (c) enact legislation on violence against women in order
that violence against women constitutes a criminal offence, that women and girls who are
victims of violence have access to immediate means of redress and protection and that
perpetrators are prosecuted and punished; and (d) increase the number of home shelters in order
to replace protective custody for women at risk of violence.
64.
Nigeria noted ratification of human rights instruments, the engagement in policy and
institutional reform, the National Project on the Employment of Women, the provision of basic
education to all children and the National AIDS Programme. Nigeria would like to see
improvement in Jordan’s legislative and judicial sectors, especially in the areas of gender
mainstreaming, sexual harassment and economic exploitation of children. It called on the
international community to support Jordan’s efforts to improve its economic, social and cultural
rights.
65.
China noted Jordan’s constitutional framework for human rights, accession to
international conventions, national human rights centres; progress in poverty-reduction, the
health system and children’s access to basic education, and improved level of human rights
education. China encouraged Jordan to ensure detailed implementation of the national strategic
plan for the protection of rights of people with disabilities and children and, through various
forms of human rights education and training, enhance people’s awareness of human rights for
their better enjoyment of them.
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