A Worrying Crackdown on Political Activists in Jordan

The latest news on this front comes from Human Rights Watch:

Jordanian authorities have increasingly targeted political and anti-corruption activists on charges that violate the right to free expression, Human Rights Watch said today. Since mid-March 2019, the authorities have detained over a dozen people, most linked to a loose coalition of political activists across the country known as the “hirak” coalition, as well as journalists, for public criticism of Jordanian leaders and policies.

The charges filed against activists range from insulting the king (“lengthening the tongue against the king”) to the vague charge of “undermining the political regime” to online slander. At least six of the detained activists began hunger strikes in May.

“Jordanian authorities should manage public discontent over domestic economic woes and austerity policies by engaging and listening to citizens rather than arresting protest organizers and those calling for public accountability,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “During Ramadan last year, the authorities listened to citizens’ concerns following mass protests and they should do the same now.”

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