By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN - Lawmakers on Sunday endorsed a draft amendment to the controversial Public Gatherings Law despite objections from Islamist and independent MPs who expressed disappointment over the new version, describing it as “nonconstitutional, against human rights and a step backward”.
The government said the bill reflects its commitment to “forge ahead with political reform programme”… and to “enhance participation and democratic culture and guarantee freedom of expression”.
“The bill grants freedom of opinion and human rights,” said the government in a letter explaining why the amendment was put forward.
Several MPs, including members of the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, were not impressed by the amendment to the 2003 law, insisting that Jordanians must have complete freedoms to hold demonstrations without needing permission from the government.
Deputy Ali Dalaeen (Karak, 5th District) called on fellow MPs to reject the bill outright in order “to preserve the democratic process”.
“Every time we feel a breathing space in freedoms, the government brings a law that suppresses us again,” said the lawmaker.
According to the amended law, Jordanians are still required to seek permission from provincial governors to hold rallies or assemblies.
Several MPs echoed Dalaeen’s view, charging that the bill, as it stands, “will tarnish the Kingdom’s reputation”.
Several lawmakers suggested that deputies vote in favour of an article that grants Jordanians complete freedom to stage demonstrations and gatherings on condition they “inform” the governor with their plan instead of seeking official permission.
But this proposal was shot down when it was put to vote.
One of the changes is the one stipulating that political parties and charity organisations do not need a green light from officials to hold their routine meetings and activities. The original law left it to the interior minister to decide if the nature of certain meetings required or not a prior approval from the governors.
In the case of gatherings where an approval remains mandatory, the amended law has shortened the period of response to the application for permission from 72 hours to two days. If the provincial governor does not issue a response within these 48 hours, applicants are entitled to hold the activity planned without legal liability, according to the amendment.
The law had a unanimous backing from conservative MPs, who praised the government’s efforts to improve freedoms.
MP Mefleh Rheimi (Jerash Governorate) said the amendment was a step in the right direction and a good start. Others said the changes in the law are in harmony with spirit of democracy, emphasising that unauthorised demonstrations could bring about instability.
The law was one of several pieces of legislation seen by the opposition as restrictive to public freedoms.
Meanwhile, deputies endorsed a supplement to the state budget for 2008 and a draft amendment to Company’s Law.
The government said the JD500 million budget supplement was necessary to tackle the rise in the government’s operational expenses because of consecutive hikes in prices, especially those of oil derivatives.
According to Minister of Finance Hamad Kasasbeh, the budget supplement is essential because the government has not so far completely lifted subsidies on gas cylinders and fodder, in addition to the increasing bill of financial compensations paid to low-income citizens under the Social Safety Net, which was created to offset the price hikes.
