Three International Organizations choose Jordan to release their annual reports

Three international organizations held a press conference on Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at the Jerusalem International Hotel in Amman, Jordan. They were the World Organization against Torture [OMCT], the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and the International Federation for Human Rights.

The three organizations held the press conference in collaboration with the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies [ACHRS]. The press conference was held on the occasion of the official release of the 2009 fifth annual report on the protection of the defenders of human rights.

The annual report was issued on the strength of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution number 53/144 of 9 December 1998. The report discusses the right and responsibility of the individuals, groups and society’s organizations in the consolidation and protection of human rights and the basic liberties that are internationally recognized.

Participating in the press conference were ACHRS Director general, Dr Nizam Assaf; Vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, Attorney Aminah BuAyyash; Attorney Radiyah Nasrawi of the Tunisian Anti torture Society; and member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation for Human Rights Daniel Sa’ud of Syria.

In remarks at the press conference, Dr Nizam Assaf pointed out that the release of the annual report coincided with the visit by a preparatory team of the International Federation for Human Rights to arrange for convening a special conference to approve the national plan for democracy and human rights in Jordan. The three international organizations will participate in the conference in addition to the National Center of Human Rights and the ACHRS.

The next speaker was Mrs. Aminah Buayyash who pointed out the importance of the release of this annual report which has been published every year since 1998 and which is devoted to the violations committed against human rights activists in the various parts of the world. She said that the report is very large and covers all countries of the world. Nonetheless, she added, the press conference is devoted to covering the part pertaining to the Middle East and North Africa.

Buayyash noted the bad situation from which male and female human rights activists in the Arab region are suffering. She said that the Observatory and societies are determined to continue the struggle of which the report is considered to be one of its examples.

Buayyash explained the problems and the legal and administrative obstacles which male and female jurist activists are encountering, such as the suppression of demonstrations, the arrest of leaders of professional associations, and denial of basic rights, such as the right of movement, in addition to the disciplinary action to which the authorities resort and which could reach the assassination of those who are defending human rights.

In remarks to the press conference, Attorney Radiyah Al-Nasrawi spoke about the grave violations committed against human rights activists in Tunisia. She said that the Tunisian authorities use beating, torture, and harassment of the activists on the professional and personal levels. She added that she was one of those who suffered from these violations. She was beaten in Carthage International Airport by security men on the sight and hearing of everyone.

Nasrawi said Tunisian workers were suppressed when they staged a rally against the worsening living conditions of the workers. Well over 200 workers were arrested and tried while more than 30 workers of these were sentenced to prison terms reaching up to five years.

Nasrawi pointed out the importance of cooperation among the various regional organizations to protect the defenders of human rights, because caring for and protecting these human rights activists should be treated as a priority.

She pointed out that intensive meetings were held with civil society, political and professional organizations in Jordan which are interested in the issue of defense of human rights for the purpose of expanding cooperation with them in this important field.

Nasrawi gave some details on real cases of cruelty which human rights activists are facing in Tunisia, particularly if the activist is a woman. She is usually given the most atrocious descriptions and hears the most abusive words and expressions.

Daniel Sa’ud of Syria spoke at the press conference about the difficulties encountered in licensing societies defending human rights. He said that the Syrian authorities are placing restrictions on the movement of human rights activists.

Sa’ud noted that lawsuits were filed with courts to decide on the question of licensing human rights societies. However, no positive results were reached.

The press conference was attended by many members of the Jordanian civil society organizations and the local and Arab media. Some of them made interventions on the worsening conditions of human rights in the Arab region, noting that these worsening conditions have become the common denominator of the state of human rights in the Arab region.