“Instead of respecting the right to peaceful protest, the Jordanian authorities are using what remains essentially a military court to punish civilians, including peaceful protesters,” said Joe Stork, Human Rights Watch Middle East deputy director, in a statement on Friday.
“Authorities should stop using the special security courts to try civilians, and recognize that peaceful assembly is not a crime,” he added.
Jordanians staged massive protests earlier in November after the government cut fuel subsidies in a bid to tackle a budget deficit of 3.5 billion dinars (five billion dollars). One protester was killed and over 157 others arrested by Jordanian officials during the demonstrations.
Stork further said that “at least 107, including nine children, were referred to state security courts on charges including ‘subverting the system of government,’ ‘participation in unlawful gatherings,’ and ‘vandalism of property.’”
He added that, “Security forces attacked protesters during demonstrations and in detention centers.”
“Jordan cannot claim to be pursuing democratic reforms while authorities punish peaceful dissent,” and “authorities should drop charges against peaceful protesters and investigate all episodes of police abuse.”
