King’s sixth discussion paper

There is no question that His Majesty King Abdullah’s sixth discussion paper, titled “Rule of Law and Civil State”, published on Sunday, is the most important so far, without detracting from the value of the previous ones. 

Each one of the earlier discussion papers was important in dealing with the specific issue it was designed to address, while the entire set does indeed form a well-planned and comprehensive strategy that has kept the reform process proceeding successfully with significant outcomes which have made Jordan worthy of the “tremendous respect and admiration the world has for our country”, which those living abroad “will have experienced first-hand”, as affirmed in the King’s recent message.

Because the main theme of this last discussion paper is the “rule of law”, it could not have come at a more appropriate time. 

The rise in delinquency and criminal activity is of great concern to Jordanians. People are alarmed by stories of lawless gangs roaming around asking various businesses for protection money and threatening protestors with vengeful physical harm. 

This appears to have replaced previous criminal activity in which thugs would demand large sums of money from car owners in return for their stolen cars.

The King has always been fast in recognising his peoples’ sentiment, and even faster in dealing with their concerns.

Following years of successive administrations’ failure in dealing with the ugly phenomenon of festive fire, which has caused tragic losses of innocent lives and threatens law and order in the country, King Abdullah stepped in ordering an immediate end to the illegal practice and demanding the strict application of the law, as well as due punishment of all violators without exceptions, even if it means his own son, as the King then declared.

Here, again, King Abdullah was vocal in expressing his feelings which he said he was “disheartened and outraged when I learn that a young girl has died in the arms of her father because of festive firing in weddings or celebrations”.

 As a result of the King’s orders, the phenomenon has largely subsided, but it has not stopped completely. Sporadic incidents are hopefully on their way to total cessation as a result of the Monarch’s persistent intervention.

King Abdullah clearly expressed his disappointment with the lack of administrative efficiency, stating that “the level of performance and achievement in administrative agencies has not met our expectations and has not been up to what the public deserves”.

He added: “All state institutions must, therefore, join efforts to improve administrative processes and cement the rule of law.”

The King emphasised that the role of individual citizens in respecting the existing laws is of equal importance.

The criteria for demonstrating their love for the country, said the discussion paper, is the respect for the rule of law. 

According to the King’s paper, in order to guarantee a just, comprehensive and unselective application of the law, “citizens are responsible for observing the law in their daily lives”, in principle as well as in practice, without exception on the basis of “social status, rank and family connections”.

Obviously, and in the face of mounting external and internal challenges, Jordan would not be able to function without solid, competent and non-compromising administration that places the rule of law ahead of all its priorities.

“For us to remain resilient in the face of present challenges and to progress and to prosper into the future, there is one aspect that I would like to focus on today,” the King said in defining the vital importance of the rule of law, adding: “To me it is the main underpinning of a properly functioning nation. It is the one factor that differentiates between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ nation. It is the very foundation upon which successful democracies, prosperous economies, and well-functioning societies are built. It is the guarantor of individual and public rights, provider of the framework for effective administration, the architecture for a safe and fair society, and the accelerator for growth and prosperity.”

Another significant aspect of the rule of law lies in its potential effectiveness in dealing with one of the most detrimental dangers facing our region: the fragmentation of societies as a result of excessive descent into factional, religious and ethnic conflicts.

The rule of law, the King’s paper states, is the perfect recipe for turning the “complex matrix of diverse religious, racial, ethnic, sectarian and tribal constituents” into a healthy environment of “social and cultural enrichment, political pluralism and economic enhancement” rather than “foment nationalism, ethnic conflict or even war” as is the situation now in our region.

The full, just and comprehensive application of the rule of law creates equality among citizens, enhances their allegiance to the state and their feeling of belonging to the entire society, rather than inclination towards an ethnic group, a sect or a clan.

The King’s paper addresses the issues of accountability and upholding of the rule of law by the state, and the state’s failing to ensure the full and just application of the law, and to guarantee the rights of the powerless individual citizens if betrayed by state malfunction.

“The rule of law cannot be upheld unless a qualified, impartial and efficient judicial apparatus is in place,” says the discussion paper. And that requires the formulation of a “clear strategy on judicial reform and to develop the judicial institutions and support agencies”, the paper adds.

Another noteworthy point is the emphasis that the civil state is not synonymous with the secular state, as religion in a civil state “is a key contributor to the value system and social norms”. Yet, although “religion is enshrined in our constitution”, King Abdullah warns against manipulating religion for serving “political interests or gains for a specific faction”.

My brief summary and highlights of the King’s discussion paper and its important content does not in any way do it justice.

Within the limited space available, I have merely highlighted some of the important points that will certainly strike a chord with many people in Jordan.

This paper is a roadmap for action. It is a strong declaration from the leader that the goal is a civil state where the rule of law would have to be supreme.

It is a reminder that the successive governments have not been doing enough to exercise sufficient authority to enforce the law. As such, it is a perfect prescription for addressing vital national issues and it should be studied carefully and implemented in full. 

No summary will suffice as an alternative to studying the entire text.

The leadership of King Abdullah has been globally recognised for its vision, its progressiveness and its ability to diagnose and act promptly.

This is why Jordan remains safe and secure despite the dangers and the challenges that surround it.

King Abdullah has been leading the process of reform all along and he continues to steer the ship to the shores of safety and progress.