ACHRS celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the UDHR
ACHRS Award for 2010 was given to Kamel Jandoubi
On Wednesday December 15TH the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies hosted the sixty-second anniversary ceremony of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Jerusalem Hotel in Amman, Jordan.
The purpose of the event was not only to celebrate the declaration of Human Rights but to also push for reform within the field of human rights internationally, within the Arab world, and a special focus on the country of Jordan.
The ACHRS presented three well established and highly accomplished speakers to the crowd of over two hundred foreign and domestic dignitaries, human rights workers, and members of the press from all over the Arab world.
The first speech of the event was given by Dr. Nizam Asaaf , director of the ACHRS, who opened the night noting that though the ACHRS “highly valued the gains made in Jordan in the field of health, education and multi-party politics and parliamentary life and the empowerment of women economically, politically, and increase of their participation in decision-making positions including increasing women’s quota in the Parliament…”
He also wanted to make sure he expressed and noted:
“the slowness in the coping of our national (Jordan) legislation with international conventions on human rights ratified by the successive Jordanian governments”
He went on to address this issue by explaining specific examples within Jordanian society that he feels are unjust in relation to international law saying:
“the Jordanian woman still does not give her nationality to her children despite the fact that the Jordanian constitution had stipulated that all Jordanians are equal before the law, and there are still aspects of the use of violence inside the university campuses, during the parliamentary elections, or after the end of the football games. The provisions of laws of public freedoms (elections, parties, associations, and assembly) still need substantial modifications to make them democratic laws and a modern verification of political reform and political development in speeches and directives of the higher leadership in the Jordanian State.”
He went on to stress the “importance of interaction and cooperation between various governmental institutions and civil society organizations for the protection and promotion of human rights.”
Next to take the podium was Taghreed Al-Naji, a member of the board of the Arab Women’s Association, to deliver a speech on behalf of the Jordanian Network for Civil Society Organizations.
Al-Naji emphasized the importance of the attendees to help “steer the struggle of women” so that important measures and objectives can be achieved. She went on to clarify those objectives stating the importance to achieve various different objectives including:
“To achieve social justice and woman’s empowerment and autonomy, and building a democratic society which guarantees the freedom of woman… and equality, dignity and security, and her access to decision-making, and promulgates a fair package of legislations in the areas of nationality, divorce, and motherhood.”
She went on to say that the Arab world must continue to “combat all forms of violence against women, particularly with regard to crimes of honor, and the development of the necessary legislations governing abuse of women, and provide her with a safe life away from fear and anxiety.”
Then concluding with a call for all to: “Act to compel the Arab states to implement human rights conventions to which they have committed themselves legally and morally before the international community and before their people…” as well as to: “Support the struggle of Arab women in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan in all forms, and solidarity with the women at these sites in order to publicize their suffering, and defend them against the occupiers and enemies.”
Closing out the evening was a speech given by Jordan’s Minister of Justice, His Excellency Hisham Al-Tal. His Excellency, boldly stated that: “The state that respects human rights, is the state of democracy, progress and the rule of law…”also pointing out that: “Jordan has ratified all the conventions and charters of the human rights declaration, the two Covenants (ex. civil and political rights and social, economic and social rights) in addition to the conventions for women and children and torture, to be translated to practical application of the principles and concepts of human rights.”
His Excellency concluded the celebration by thanking all who had taken a stand for human rights over the years within “Jordan and beyond” and that: “the real celebration of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights requires all of us to put the principles and ideas contained in it into practice. At the end of the day, reality states that the theoretical texts of the conventions on human rights, constitutions and legislation, if not applied in practice become just ideal texts that do not serve the cause of human rights.”
Other important notes: Though he was not present at the ceremony, Kamel Al-Jendoubi was given the Inaugural Amman Center for Human Rights Studies “Activist of the Year 2010” award, for his tireless work within the field of human rights in Tunisia and the whole Arab world. Mr. Al-Jendoubi is the president of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network.
The event was co-hosted by ACHRS representatives Aaron Williams and Lina Jazrawi.
