Jordan preserves fundamental rights amid hard times — Maaytah

AMMAN — The basic right of humans is the right to life that Jordan has always sought to preserve since its establishment despite the harsh surrounding circumstances, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Mousa Maaytah said on Wednesday. 

Maaytah made the remarks during the launching ceremony of the project titled “Enhancing the rights of the civil human in Jordan - human rights and civic space observatory”, organised by the Lawyers without Borders in cooperation with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the EU on the occasion of Human Rights Day, which is annually marked on December 10. 

The minister added that the government is open to dialogue with all entities, adding that despite the hard circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there was “determination for the democratic process” and constitutional entitlements to be met in a bid to preserve civil and political rights of citizens, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Kingdom, in November, held parliamentary elections that witnessed “wide participation” of political parties and citizens that stood at about 30 per cent, which resulted in forming a Lower House with 75 per cent of its members being first-time MPs, he added.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou said that the UN is committed to supporting democracy and human rights in its relations, in a way that conforms to the main principles of freedom, democracy and respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in partnership with several Jordanian institutions. 

Spain's Ambassador to Jordan Aránzazu Bañón Dávalos highlighted the importance of civil community institutions in integrating local communities until reaching a state of social cohesion, noting that AECID enjoys “remarkable” experience in dealing with such types of projects.  

Lawyers without Borders CEO Saddam Abu Azzam said that protecting and enhancing human rights has become part of the human societies and their future and a main standard for the progress of nations and communities.