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Jordan

Monthly Event Reports

February 2024 | Increased crackdown on activists and protestors

Recent developments in Jordan have seen an escalation in actions against pro-Palestinian activists, with a notable increase in arrests and harassment since October. This crackdown has extended to those participating in demonstrations or engaging in online advocacy for Palestine. A significant aspect of this repression is the application of a new, controversial cybercrime law, which critics argue has been leveraged to prosecute activists and suppress dissent.  Similarly, a recent investigation revealed that numerous political activists, journalists, and human rights lawyers were targeted by the government and had their mobile devices compromised by sophisticated spyware. Several rights organizations have documented these actions and raised concerns over the growing repression and constraints on essential freedoms of expression and assembly. These measures have raised alarms about the broader implications for civil liberties in Jordan, highlighting a troubling trend toward limiting public discourse and political activism.

July 2023 | Parliament approves controversial cybercrime legislation

On 27 July, Jordan's parliament passed a controversial cybercrime law which was subsequently ratified by King Abdullah II on 12 August. The legislation has received widespread criticism from opposition MPs, several rights groups, legal experts, and journalists, who argue it undermines free speech and independent journalism. The new law criminalizes certain online activities and imposes penalties for content considered harmful to national unity. Following the implementation of the law, a prominent journalist was sentenced to prison over a Facebook post expressing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the demonstrations against fuel prices in late 2022, contributing further to concerns over shrinking civic space and restricted press freedom in Jordan.

December 2022 | Violent clashes across Jordan amid protests over rising fuel prices

The rising fuel prices that have added to the cost-of-living challenges in Jordan sparked anti-government demonstrations across the kingdom. Road closures initiated by truck drivers demanding a reduction in the price of diesel fuel escalated into country-wide riots that lasted for several weeks. Deadly clashes erupted in multiple cities between protestors and police, with the killing of four policemen, in some of the worst unrest Jordan has witnessed in many years. Many Jordanians took to social media to share videos from the strike and attacks by the police on civilians. Amid heightened tensions, the government disrupted internet services and banned TikTok.  Jordan’s Public Security Directorate announced a “temporary suspension” of the social media platform under the pretext of inciting violence and disorder. 

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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
10 269 020
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh (since 2020)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
12.3%
Women in upper chamber
10.8%
Last legislative election
2020
Head of state
King Abdullah II
Selection process for head of state
Hereditary or election by hereditary state rulers
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
08/11/2018
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
65.93%
Population Tooltip
10 269 020
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh (since 2020)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
12.3%
Women in upper chamber
10.8%
Last legislative election
2020
Head of state
King Abdullah II
Selection process for head of state
Hereditary or election by hereditary state rulers
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
08/11/2018
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
65.93%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
No Action
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
Arab Charter on Human Rights
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

Representation neutral Representation
Sep 2023
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb 2024
Representation neutral Rights
Sep 2023
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb 2024
Representation neutral Rule of law
Sep 2023
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb 2024
Representation neutral Participation
Sep 2023
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb 2024

Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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