Repression of Pro-Palestinian Protests in Jordan

©: Laith Al-jnaidi/Anadolu Agency

In light of the humanitarian disaster unraveling in Gaza, many have taken to the streets of Jordan demanding that the government takes a more solid stance on the genocide carried out by Israel. The protests started following the assault on Al-Shifa Hospital on the 18^th of March, where protesters assembled at the Kalouti Mosque, near the Israeli Embassy in Amman. Protestors demanded that the government withdraws from the economic agreements with Israel on water and gas, and the opening of an economic causeway between the two countries. Protestors also expressed their discontent with the normalization between the two states, a demand that has repeatedly been made by protestors in Jordan in the past.  

Nonetheless, the protestors were met with violence from the police, with several activists and reporters being arrested. Protestors commented on the heavy security measures implemented on the demonstrators, where the protest was broken up violently on several occasions. Such brutal crackdowns resulted in injuries, and damage to personal belongings. This led to mass arrests of more than 116 protestors in the first few days according to an interview conducted with a lawyer in the committee for freedom and public rights in the Jordan Bar Association. Some of the arrested individuals were released, whereas others were charged with violations of the cybercrimes law, unlawful assembly or resisting law enforcement officers. However, legal experts have commented that some of the charges are unsubstantiated. Such crackdowns have been recurring over the past few months since the war on Gaza started. Activists who often call for mobilization were particularly targeted to diminish the popularity of the movement.

Restrictions on the protest also included restricting the physical signs that protestors could use in the demonstration, this included flags and cardboard signs. Such actions limit the freedom of expression of protestors in Jordan, and such intimidating tactics aims to further discourage participation in the protests. Official news agencies, and on online websites, the protestors were vilified as vandals, criminals and individuals who aim to destabilize the country. However, the chants have repeatedly called for national unity, and respect to all segments of society. Acts of destruction to public property did not happen at the protest, even though defamation campaigns have claimed so. Such campaigns of vilification are yet another attempt to silence peaceful protestors that have, so far, expressed their legitimate concerns in a way that is in line with their national and international right to freedom of expression and assembly. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is ratified by Jordan, obligates states to grant citizens the freedom of expression according to article 19 of the Covenant. Articles 21 and 22 respectively call for citizens’ freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association. 

As such, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies condemns the repression of peaceful protests, and urges the government to allow for safe, legitimate and peaceful assembly in line with the civil rights of citizens as guaranteed by the national constitution, as well as international humanitarian law.