Cairo September 11, 2012

The Arabic Network for Human Rights denounces the decision issued, by the State Security Court on September 9,2012, of imprisoning six members of the Popular Movement in the city of Tafilah for two weeks under investigation due to charges of inciting the people against the regime and stirring political sedition in the country.

The six members of the Popular Movement were arrested along with another 9, when the Jordanian forces used force to disperse the demonstration that took place on Saturday morning, September 8, 2012, in the city of Tafilah. The aim of the demonstration was to denounce the arrest of the activist “Mohamed El-Mo’aberah” because he criticized the queen “Rania”. On Sunday morning of September 9, 2012, the six activists appeared before the State Security Court, which pressed the charges of inciting people against the regime and stirring political sedition in the country against them. Then it decided to imprison them under investigation for two weeks.

ANHRI said that “the decision of the State Security Court, which is an appellate court, is merely a politicized decision, as the charges pressed against the activists of the Popular Movement based upon loose legal articles. Such articles actually criminalize the political opposition activity and ban the right to demonstration and the freedom of expression which are guaranteed by the Jordanian constitution and the international treaties on human rights”.

ANHRI repeats its calls for the Jordanian authority to immediately release the six activists and the others detainees who were arrested due to their participation in the said demonstration, in addition to, ANHRI calls for the release of the activist “Mohamed El-Mo’aberah”.

ANHRI draw the attention to “the Jordanian authorities continuation to violate the various rights and freedoms of the citizens by suppressing the demonstrations, harassing political opposition, assaulting the freedom of publishing and press and other exercises that clearly escalated in the last two years. Therefore, the situation of Jordon, related to the compliance with the international standards regarding the protection of the freedom of opinion and expression, is deteriorating. Previously, the situation of Jordon was distinguished in comparison with the countries of the region.

ANHRI said that “the Jordanian authorities have to review their arbitrary polices and the articles of law that restrict freedoms, in the frame of a comprehensive political reform, to answer the demands of the citizens and to cope with the changes in the region which represents a lesson that can’t be overlooked”.