An Appeal To The King
Your Majesty,
2020 has been a rough year for the world in general and our beloved nation. It has taken its toll on public health, economic security and essential democratic rights in Jordan. Under the guise of the emergency law enacted in response to Covid-19, the government has been taking dictatorial measures against those who criticize its actions. On the 25th of July, state security forces arrested the leaders of the teacher’s syndicate, the largest union and democratic institution in the country under the medieval charge of “incitement of anti-government speech” against the Prime Minister’s administration. Such a charge is a direct violation of Article 15(i) of The Constitution, which guaranteees that “Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means of photographic representation and other forms of expression”.
The second sector of Article 15, which is meant to ensure that “Freedom of the press and publication is ensured within the limits of the law” has also taken a beating in the past month. For one, the prosecutor of the aforementioned case has issued a gag order on investigating the incident, which arouses a lot of suspicion. However, the icing on top of the totalitarian cake comes with the arrest of renowned Jordanian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj, who published a caricature of Emirati Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Zayed. It mocked the fact that one of his main incentives for normalizing relations with Israel was for the purchase of F-35 jets, only for the latter party to back out of the deal. In short, Mr Hajjaj was arrested for a cartoon that had absolutely nothing to do with Jordan. Many of my countrymen may view this as not only an attack on our transitional democracy, but our sovereignity as well. It is important to note that Jordan is a signatory to the 1996 San’aa Decleration, a commitment to free press amongst Arab States, as well as the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, which we have ratified. Therefore, releasing Mr Hajjaj*, the heads of the Teacher’s Syndicate and all others imprisoned against the values of our nation and the International Community are necesarry for our progress.
These are not just my thoughts, but Your Majesty’s as well. Your Majesty’s website’s section on the “New Democracy” states that “Every actor in our political system — every institution and public figure, but most importantly, each of you, as citizens — has a vital role to play in deepening and strengthening this democratic culture.” Therefore, our governmental institutions silencing its people means it is failing in playing its part in Your Majesty’s mission. Reform begins with public institutions winning the trust and respect of the people, so this is a major setback. Additionally, such repression is not only dangeours to the stability of our “New Democracy”, but the stability of Jordan herself. One can argue that the chaos that has engulfed some of our Arab neighbours is a direct result of state repression. Two hours away from Jordan’s capital, war rages in Syria after the regime there brutally suppressed people’s demands for civil and political rights. Such a culture of repression creates fear, which evolves into anger and sets off as violence. My countrymen and I fear that this emergency law put in place will be in effect for a few decades rather than a few months. We also fear a disconnect between the people and the state, resulting in the collapse of the Jordan we know and love. All the other houses in our neighbourhood have caught fire, so the fear of our’s catching fire is reasonable.
In your capacity as King, the people and the state have entrusted you with protecting our inalienable rights. In an excerpt taken from your perosnal website, it is explained that you will “maintain (your) role as a unifying leader and prevent the polarisation of Jordanian society”, as well as having the Monarchy “safeguard our national integrity and justice systems.” It is imperative to our nation for Your Majesty to use your powers to take care of our constitutional rights. For this reason, Mr Emad Hajjaj should be granted his freedom*, and the actions of the current administration must be halted. Shutting down the Teacher’s Syndicate and the Muslim Brotherhood does not help slow down the pandemic, it is merely an attempt by the government to silence its largest opponents. To quote Your Majesty once more, “The Arab World is writing a new future; the pen is in our own hands.” We all have a part to play and the pen is in Your Majesty’s hand as well. The people and I ask Your Majesty to prevent the rise of authoritarianism, and reusher the era of progress that Your Majesty has spoken so eagerly about.
*Mr Hajjaj has been released since this portion was written.
