Jordanian human rights organizationsCondemns the attack on protesters in Karak

The undersigned Jordanian human rights organizations express great concern and condemnation of the attack of what has become known as “thugs” on peaceful demonstrators in Karak on Friday, 13/8/2011, which resulted in eight civilians injured, they are: Dargham Halaseh, Dr. Hikmat Alqtauna, Rauf Habashneh, Yassar Habashneh, Maath Batosh, Thabit Assaf, Bassim Bashabsha, Sabr Adayleh.

The human rights organizations call for a neutral, independent and transparent investigation, with the participation of the judiciary and civil society, about the circumstances of the incident, publish its results for the Jordanian public opinion, and take measures to prevent the recurrence of this assault on peaceful demonstrators or protesters.

Human rights organizations remind that the marches and sit-ins to express citizens’ attitudes towards issues of reform and fighting corruption based on the right of citizens to peaceful assembly are rights guaranteed to all citizens under the Jordanian constitution and international human rights conventions ratified by Jordan, and the government is expected to protect them.

The Human rights organizations see that the absence of seriousness on the government part and not conducting impartial and transparent investigations in such assaults and repressions of the peaceful marches and sit-ins that contradicts with its continuous announcing about protecting and respecting public freedoms.

Names of the organizations signing

1. Amman Center for Human Rights Studies [ACHRS]
2. Amnesty International/ the Jordan Group.
3. The Arab Organization for Human Rights/ Jordan.
4. The Jordanian Women Union
5. Amman Forum Society for Human Rights
6. The Arab Women Organization (AWO)
7. Adaleh Center For Human Rights Studies
8. Arab Bridge Center for Human Rights
9. Roots Organization for Development and Human Rights