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Report on Human Rights
Practices for 1996--Jordan
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled
by King Hussein since 1952. The Constitution concentrates a high
degree of executive and legislative authority in the King, who
determines domestic and foreign policy. The Prime Minister and
the Cabinet manage the daily affairs of government. The Parliament
consists of a 40-member Senate appointed by the King and an 80-member
Chamber of Deputies elected by the people. Since the elections
of 1989 the Lower House has increasingly asserted itself in the
areas of domestic and foreign policy. Reflecting this trend,
the Cabinet appointed in February included 22 deputies from the
lower house, the highest number ever. The judiciary is independent.
The General Intelligence Directorate (GID) and the Public Security
Directorate (PSD) share responsibility for maintaining internal
security and have broad authority to monitor the activities of
persons believed to be security threats. The State Security Court
and broad police powers remain in place as vestiges of martial
law, which was in place from 1967 to 1991. The security forces
continue to commit human rights abuses.
Jordan has a mixed economy with significant government participation
in industry, transportation, and communications. The country
has few natural resources and is financially dependent on foreign
assistance and remittances from citizens working abroad. Because
of the Government's policies during the 1990-91 Gulf crisis, some
Arab Gulf state governments discontinued foreign assistance, expelled
many Jordanian guest workers, and placed restrictions on imports
of Jordanian goods. The domestic economy has been buffeted by
high unemployment since the late 1980's. Traditional exports
to Iraq dropped off sharply due to United Nations sanctions against
that country and Jordanian initiatives to reduce the export of
nonsanctioned goods under the bilateral trade protocol with Iraq.
As part of a structural adjustment program mandated by the International
Monetary Fund, the Government removed subsidies on bread and animal
feed in August, resulting in a doubling of the price of bread
and other price rises. The price increase was followed by riots
in the south of the country. Some local commentators estimate
that the standard of living for the average Jordanian has dropped
by over half in the past 10 years. Per capita gross domestic
product was estimated at $1,500 in 1996.
Since the revocation of martial law in 1991, there has been a
steady improvement in the human rights situation. Nonetheless,
problems remain, including: Arbitrary arrest; abuse and mistreatment
of detainees; prolonged detention without charge; lack of due
process; harassment of opposition political parties; restrictions
on the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association; official
discrimination against adherents of the Baha'i faith; and restrictions
on women's rights. Opposition allegations of human rights abuses
in 1996 peaked following August riots in southern Jordan. Human
rights activists protested detentions, the arrest of journalists
and opposition party members, and the harassment of political
parties. Discrimination against the Bedouin, violence against
women, and abuse of foreign servants are also problems. Citizens
do not have the right to change their form of government, although
in recent years the King has taken step
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