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AMMAN — The Cabinet on Monday endorsed the 2018 cybercrime law, which aims at limiting cybercrimes to curb hate speech, privacy violation and other crimes, especially those committed on social media platforms. 

The bill stipulates an imprisonment penalty of no less than a year and no more than three years and a fine between JD5,000 and JD10,000 for people who publish or share whatever can be described as hate speech through the Internet, websites or information systems, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Those who establish or run websites or publish information online with the intention of promoting the use of weapons, ammunition or explosives that are not allowed by the law can face prison terms of no less than six months, according to the draft law.

The bill defines hate speech as each statement or act that can fuel religious, sectarian, ethnic or regional sedition; calling for violence and justifying it; or spreading rumours against people with the aim of causing them, as a result, physical harm or damage to their assets or reputation. 

The bill stipulates an imprisonment term of no less than three months and no more than three years and a fine between JD1,000 and JD3,000 for people who use the Internet and online means to blackmail others to do things or abstain from doing things against their will.

The proposed law stiffens the penalty for those who intentionally hack a website or any information system through any means to a prison term of no less than three months and no more than a year and a fine ranging between JD500 and JD1,000.

The draft law authorises the competent attorney general to stop or deactivate any information system or website that was used to perpetrate any crime mentioned in the bill, excluding licenced websites under the Telecommunications Law, whose violations are subject to accountability under this law. 

The bill also authorises the Court of First Instance to look into crimes perpetrated under its jurisdiction.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, at a press conference following the session, said that the bill is aimed at addressing violations of privacy and hate speech, especially on social media. 

He stressed that the new bill is not against freedoms and the press, but stipulates constraints that enable victims to sue people who target them unjustly. 

Momani noted that a court of law decides whether a publication violates personal freedoms or falls within permissible criticism, highlighting that the law has a clear definition for hate speech. 

AMMAN — The government on Monday endorsed the income tax draft law and said it will refer it to the Lower House on Tuesday to get it through constitutional channels towards enactment.

Meanwhile, the government reasserted that it was earnestly carrying on with economic reforms according to schedule.

During a press conference at the Prime Ministry, part of which was attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani and Finance Minister Omar Malhas, joined by Income Sales and Tax Department Director General Hussam Abu Ali, detailed the changes introduced to the initial draft of the bill after it was put up for public debate for weeks, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Mulki stressed that the dialogue over the key law would continue with lawmakers “to reach a just version that ensures success in combatting tax evasion and improve services offered to citizens”. 

The proposed law is expected to be debated by the House after Ramadan during an extraordinary session, pending a decree by the King. 

Momani said that the bill is part of a comprehensive economic and financial reform drive, reflecting policies that the government adopts to achieve self-reliance and build a strong economy that “strengthens political positions”. 

“This is our message to the world: We are taking economic reforms seriously and carrying them out at the right pace,” he told reporters. 

The minister made the remarks on the eve of an expected visit by International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review progress made under an economic correction plan. 

The government has already made adjustments to the sales tax and subsidy system, an unpopular move officials have stressed is vital to salvage an economy that has been struggling amid regional instability, a huge refugee influx and dwindling international support. 

Finance Minister Omar Malhas said that the bill mainly focuses on three aspects: improving tax collection, curbing tax evasion and boosting tax revenues, which are expected to increase by JD300 million annually.

Malhas noted that the past two weeks witnessed intensified consultations with all stakeholders to discuss relevant issues, adding that some 60 to 70 per cent of feedback given on the initial draft was taken into consideration when finalising the draft law. 

For his part, Abu Ali said that the government accepted several suggestions it received on the bill, citing the example of levies on agricultural produce, which used to be imposed on sales, but were changed to only apply to profits.

The bill subjects capital profits to 15 per cent tax regardless of the sector.

The draft law also exempts venture capital funds, as defined under the Companies Law, from taxes so as to encourage the establishment of such funds to contribute to rescuing stumbling businesses.

Amendments to the law add the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission as one of the institutions that can look at data gathered by the tax investigation unit created under the bill. 

As for confidentiality of bank accounts, the officials stressed that access to such data is only allowed by court order. 

The bill distinguishes between intentional tax evasion and unintentional mistakes, stipulating that only the judiciary can indict suspects of tax evasion.

The bill re-labels tax evasion from a misdemeanour to a felony with harshened penalties of imprisonment and financial fines.

AMMAN — Workers at UNRWA General Presidency and Field Office in Jordan suspended a planned open-ended strike scheduled to begin on Monday.

The decision came in light of the “rapid developments” following the escalating measures aimed to sustain and improve employee and retiree benefits, according to a statement issued by the protesters. 

The shift in the employees’ approach began on Sunday evening after several workers at the agency ended a nine-day hunger strike, responding to mediation efforts.  

The Lower House’s Palestine Committee and its chair Yahya Saud pledged on Sunday to follow up on the demands of the workers stressing the deputies’ “understanding of the strikers’ requests after the reduction of the agency’s services to the Palestinian refugees”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In their statement, protesters stressed the importance of “ensuring the continuation of the negotiations between the agency’s staff unions and UNRWA’s administration, allowing for the government and the parliament to pressure the agency to respond to the workers’ demands”. 

For his part, spokesman for hunger strikers Abdullah Abu Al Sammin pointed out that “the agency’s administration is still required to bear the increase in the new health insurance premiums and allow the return of UNRWA’s retirees to their previous status, and to improve the staff’s living conditions.”

In a previous statement sent to The Jordan Times, UNRWA officials clarified that “while UNRWA understands the economic conditions and the high cost of the employee, it should be noted that the agency bears the burden of additional expenses in light of the most unprecedented financial crisis in the history of the agency”.

“UNRWA did not consider leaving the staff and their families without proper health insurance, and the linkage between the austerity measures of the agency and the aforementioned health insurance is unfair and baseless.”

During the recent mediations between the House’s committee and UNRWA’s Director of Operations in Jordan Roger Davis, Saud presented the requests of the protesters, calling on the agency to “exert more efforts and responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees” and to not reduce its services, explaining that “this adds new burdens on the government at a time when the Kingdom is facing enormous economic challenges”.

In this regard, the MP suggested the formation of a committee aimed at finding solutions to the situation, stressing that it should include members of the parliamentary panel, along with representatives of UNRWA. 

For his part, Davies presented the steps that UNRWA is taking in order to address its financial deficit, stressing that the agency would continue coordinating with donor countries in order to bridge the gap and “carry out its duty towards the refugees”.

Earlier this year, spokesperson for the UNRWA Sami Mshasha warned that the agency may stop providing its services in all of its operating areas in September due to its chronic financial crisis, affecting the nearly 2 million refugees currently based in Jordan.

Asked about the impact of UNWRA’s financial crisis in the Kingdom, Davies said that “at stake is the education of 122,000 children enrolled in 171 schools around the country, as well as the education of around 4,000 young men and women enrolled in our two vocational centres and teachers training college.”

UNRWA’s financial crisis deepened after US President Donald Trump cut aid to the relief organisation in January of this year.

Although not officially declared by the US administration, the cuts come after the Palestinian leadership refused to meet US Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to the region and rejected any future role for the US in the peace process following US President Donald Trump’s decision in December last year to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Trump said: “When they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice president to see them, and we give them hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and support, tremendous numbers, numbers that nobody understands — that money is on the table and that money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace.”

AMMAN — Jordan on Monday condemned the relocation of the Paraguayan embassy to Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammed Momani stressed that the move is a breach of the UN conventions and all relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

The measure is considered null and void, he said, as it lacks legal grounds due to the fact that East Jerusalem is an occupied land and is the capital of the Palestinian state.

The minister reiterated Jordan’s “unaltered stance that refuses moving any embassy in Israel to Jerusalem”, describing the relocation move as illegal and a unilateral measure that is condemned by Jordan and the majority of the world, underlining the vote when 128 countries rejected the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and plan to move the embassy to the occupied city at the UN General Assembly. 

Momani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said that member states should support the UN General Assembly’s resolutions related to Jerusalem and the Palestinian issue rather than breach them and encourage occupation, violence and chaos.

The spokesperson urged commitment to the international legitimacy’s resolutions, first and foremost the UN Security Council’s resolution 478, which demands all states not to move their embassies to Jerusalem.

He said that such unilateral decisions are irresponsible and would entrench violence and chaos in the region.

Momani highlighted the importance of intensified global efforts towards a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in line with the relevant international legitimacy resolutions that guarantee the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital within the pre-1967 lines.

Paraguay is the third country to relocate its diplomatic mission to the occupied Jerusalem after the US and Guatemala. 

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Sunday visited Dar Al Aytam Society in Marka to learn about a newly implemented volunteer initiative by the Nashmi Centre for Youth Empowerment, which aims to transform the facility into a model orphanage, a statement by Her Majesty's office said. 

Welcomed by Director of the Society Zuhrieh Al Salman, and founder of Nashmi Centre Ala’ Al Bashiti, Her Majesty met with a group of the centre’s volunteers, who briefed her on their year-long project to revamp the orphanage and upgrade its services. 

The Queen lauded Nashmi volunteers’ efforts and thanked them for paying special attention to the needs of orphaned children in Jordan.

“An orphaned child is deprived of the love and care of his family, and must be treated as one of our own children. It is our humanitarian and religious duty to nurture and look after our orphans,” she said. 

Her Majesty stressed that orphaned children are among the most vulnerable groups in society, and warned that complacency in regards to the quality of care and services they receive cannot be tolerated.

Launched this month under the title “My Project”, Nashmi Centre’s initiative aims to challenge the status quo of orphan care and create a more sustainable and durable role for volunteers at orphanages, departing from longstanding seasonal campaigns to support this vulnerable group of young Jordanians. Orphan care is known to peak in Ramadan and Muslim holidays, and taper off during the remainder of the year, leaving many children who need consistent support in limbo. 

In that regard, Her Majesty shed light on the inadequacy of this occasional care to create a substantial and sustainable impact on these children’s lives and emphasised the pivotal role volunteers play in breaking this cycle and translating compassion and empathy into tangible action. 

"Volunteers are integral to enhancing the quality of services provided to orphans, building various partnerships for their benefit, and providing care and social integration opportunities for them,” she said. 

The project will be executed in three phases this year. The first will include a full-fledged renovation of the society by volunteers with the help of orphans. The second will pair each orphan with a volunteer, who will act as a mentor and be responsible for helping the orphan with academics, social integration, personality development and a graduation project. The third and final phase will see the completion of the orphans’ graduation projects, with all expenses covered by Nashmi. 

Launched in 2016, the Nashmi Centre for Youth Empowerment is a non-profit organisation that promotes social work and volunteering across the country. Aiming to position volunteerism as a way of life and a moral obligation among Jordan’s youth, Nashmi encompasses several volunteering campaigns addressing social issues.

Nashmi also lobbies against the use of firearms at public events, raises awareness to protect youth from cybercrime, performs repairs and maintenance at primary schools and works to assimilate people with disabilities into society.

Dar Al Aytam society was founded in 1968 as a centre for boys between the ages of six and 12 who are either orphaned or come from disintegrated or impoverished families. The society currently serves a total of 22 boys. 

AMMAN — The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) on Sunday signed a partnership agreement for early childhood development (ECD) with Plan International Jordan (PIJ), aimed at establishing an ECD coordination platform in the Kingdom.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the NCFA by acting Secretary General Mohammad Miqdadi, and by PIJ Representative in Jordan Muna Abbas.

“This partnership will bring together all key players in the ECD sector at the national and international levels including all the relevant ministries,” PIJ Lead ECD Network Coordinator Ibtisam Amara told The Jordan Times, explaining that the new platform will “focus on fostering a better inter-sector collaboration among main ECD actors responding to the Syrian and Iraqi crises, targeting both host communities and refugee children”.

“This area is of utmost importance in the development of children both in the context of the family and the society,” the NCFA said in statement, explaining that the new agreement aims at “highlighting the priority thematic areas when responding to the needs of young children, parents and caregivers”.

The project will develop a “multisector approach” in order to ensure the provision of the best services for all children across the Kingdom through humanitarian programmes, the statement said.

In Jordan, there is still a gap in children accessing ECD integrated services such as parenting support programmes, a report on ECD by UNICEF said in December last year. 

The study, conducted with the support of the Social Development, Education, Health and Awqaf ministries, noted that quality daycares or nurseries are scarce, with only 13 per cent of children aged 4-5 years attending formal pre-school, while an estimated 59 per cent of the country’s five-year-old children attend KG2. 

“We’re talking about an enormous opportunity to change the lives of generations of children by investing more in those first critical years of growth,” the UNICEF representative in Jordan said, pointing out that “Jordan has made huge inroads in improving education access over recent years, and now is the time to turn our attention to the youngest in society”.

For his part, Minister of Education Omar Razzaz noted that “science clearly tells us that play-based learning is key for children to prepare for entering primary school”, adding that the ministry’s vision is “to provide ECD services at scale without compromising quality so that children in Jordan realise their full potential”.

AMMAN — The Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC) has referred three tutors and an employee from the University of Jordan (UJ) to the judiciary on charges of TOEFL certificates’ forgery, an official said on Sunday. 

The case started three months ago, when the IACC cadres started following up on a tip that a teacher at UJ had distributed fraudulent language certificates. “After investigation, an employee at the university was found to be involved by mediating between teachers and brokers to counterfeit certificates, in exchange for money,” the official, who requested anonymity, told The Jordan Times.

TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, evaluates the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English.  

The commission therefore decided to refer the case to the judiciary for further investigation, the source noted. 

UJ President Azmi Mahaftha told The Jordan Times that he is only aware of one case of fraudulent language test certificate at the university’s Aqaba branch, stressing that the teacher acquired his academic degrees from neighbouring Arab countries and "does not master English". 

”Unlike what was circulated in the media, I did not refer the teacher to IACC; the commission requested the certificates of all teachers who were employed over the last two years,” Mahaftha noted.

The employee will face charges of receiving a bribe or utilising his post for personal gains and interests, the source noted. 

The teachers concerned in the case have few years of teaching experience and, in an attempt to be promoted to the rank of assistant professor, they provided the university with false language test certificates as required for promotion, the source said. 

”Fraud is a crime and that exists not only in universities, and this case is not the first of its kind in UJ’s history,” Mahaftha added, noting that the university has dealt with cases where professors were holding false academic degrees in the past. 

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a February Criminal Court ruling sentencing a man to seven years in prison after convicting him of molesting a 14-year-old girl in Irbid in September 2017.

The court ruled that the defendant molested the victim while on her way back home from school on September 10 and handed him the maximum punishment.

Court documents said the victim was walking home from school and decided to take a shortcut.

“The victim walked in an alley where the defendant was present and he forced her to follow him to a small deserted area where he molested her,” the court said, adding that the victim returned home and informed her family about the incident.

The victim’s family filed a complaint and the defendant was arrested, the court added.

In its ruling, the Criminal Court said it relied on the victim’s testimony and the defendant’s own confession in front of the police and Criminal Court prosecutor.

The defendant did not appeal his seven-year verdict, the court stated. 

The Higher Court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper proceedings when sentencing the defendant, and that he deserves the verdict he received.

 The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Naji Zubi, Yassin Abdullat, Majid Azab and Hamad Ghzawi.

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury on Monday met with a Dutch delegation from the house of representatives and the senate, a Planning Ministry statement said.

During the meeting, Fakhoury reviewed the economic challenges facing Jordan, stemming from the regional instability and from hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees, highlighting the Jordanian "model" in dealing with such challenges.

He voiced appreciation for the Dutch government's continuous support as a strategic partner in Jordan's development process and thanked the delegation for considering the Kingdom as a country of priority for Dutch development aid, in light of a four-year programme being put in place to support the country.

Fakhoury said that the government is working to implement comprehensive economic reforms to enhance the country's resilience and transform challenges into opportunities by maintaining macroeconomic, financial and monetary stability.

He briefed the delegation on the Kingdom's efforts to boost economic growth and create jobs for Jordanians, noting that Jordan has succeeded in maintaining its resilience despite the exceptional and unprecedented conditions prevailing in the region.

Citing the successive response plans and the Jordan Compact, he said they helped resume the comprehensive development path through a socioeconomic roadmap embodied in the Jordan 2025, the Economic Growth Plan, the National Strategy for the Development of Human Resources, the Jordan Digital Strategy, the National Strategy for Employment as well as judicial reforms.

The minister highlighted the importance of cooperation with the Netherlands to review the agreement on easing the rules of origin for Jordanian exports to the EU, which aims to maximise the benefits for Jordanian industrialists, attract investments and provide job opportunities.

For its part, the Dutch delegation praised Jordan's "pivotal role" in the region and the world, commending the Jordanian model of dealing with the crises and its comprehensive reform programme. 

The delegation also asserted the Netherlands' support to Jordan in facing external challenges.

AMMAN — The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) has increased the amount of water allocated to farmers in the central Jordan Valley, a JVA statement, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said on Monday.

The move aims to prevent damage to crops due to high temperatures, JVA Assistant Secretary General Ghassan Obeidat said. Obeidat added that the supply time is two hours longer than the previous rate and called on farmers to communicate with the National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension in order to receive advice on how to preserve their plantations, according to Petra.