A Future Jordan - نحن الأردن

Restrictive Jordanian Bill on Professional Associations.... Any Comments?!!!!

Restrictive Jordanian Bill on Professional Associations
THE ARAB REFORM BULLETIN

A new draft law barring professional associations from engaging in politics has pitted the Jordanian government against association members and political activists. According to Minister of Interior Samir Habashneh, the legislation would expand the scope of participation in associations, achieve a fair distribution of funds, and ensure decentralization in decision making. Detractors, however, accuse the government of attempting to undermine its critics, as professional unions tend to be dominated by Islamists and opponents of the peace treaty with Israel and U.S. policies in the region. The draft law changes electoral procedures for associations in a way that would dilute the influence of Islamist candidates and prohibit ties to association branches in the Palestinian territories. It would also create a disciplinary council to judge offenses. The Jordanian cabinet approved the draft law on March 6 and referred it to the Lower House requesting it receive urgent attention. Jordan Bar Association President Hussein Mjalli resigned in protest and a number of parliamentarians petitioned the government to withdraw the bill. The government banned a planned demonstration of professional unions against the law on March 7, deploying security forces to prevent the protest.

posted by Ashraf Zeitoon @ 5:17 AM