Amman, May 26 (Petra) – As Jordan celebrates its 79th Independence Day, Dr. Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office, affirmed the Kingdom’s deep pride in its extensive national achievements and reiterated its unwavering commitment to advancing human rights.

“We proudly recall our national journey, rich with accomplishments, and emphasize our firm, principled commitment to continually enhancing the human rights framework in the Kingdom,” Dr. Abdallat told the Jordan News Agency (Petra). He stressed that this commitment is comprehensive and reflects “the visions of the Hashemite leadership and responds to the aspirations of Jordanian citizens.”

Dr. Abdallat highlighted Jordan’s methodical approach to building a modern state, where human rights have been an “intrinsic part of its project and a sincere expression of the aspirations of the Jordanian people,” despite facing complex regional, economic, and political challenges.

He pointed to pivotal moments in Jordan’s political evolution, notably 1989, which marked a “historic turning point towards political openness and the revitalization of parliamentary life,” followed by the launch of the National Charter in 1991 and, more recently, the enactment of a new political parties law in 2022.

Economically, Dr. Abdallat acknowledged the significant hurdles posed by limited resources and regional instability. However, he emphasized that the state has adopted comprehensive development policies aimed at attracting investment, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable development.

Significant strides have been made in women’s rights, with political, economic, and social empowerment becoming an “integral part of the national reform process,” Dr. Abdallat noted. This progress is evident in the evolution of national policies and legislation designed to eliminate all forms of discrimination and enhance women’s active participation in public life.

The passage of the Child Rights Law in 2022 was described as a “historic and pivotal step” in protecting children, who are considered the cornerstone of the nation’s future.

Similarly, the rights of persons with disabilities have undergone a “radical transformation,” ushering in a new era focused on empowerment and comprehensive inclusion. The 2017 Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Law No. 20) reinforces Jordan’s status as a “modern state that respects human dignity and believes in the capabilities of all its citizens without discrimination.”

Dr. Abdallat also praised the development of Jordan’s civil society, underscoring the importance of citizen engagement in policymaking, the institutionalization of volunteer work, and the establishment of balanced partnerships between the government and civil society, which he termed a “fundamental pillar in the national renaissance.”

In education, Jordan has witnessed a “qualitative leap,” reflected in policies creating a more inclusive, equitable, and high-quality educational system. He specifically highlighted the “pioneering humanitarian step” of integrating hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugee children into both formal and informal education, making Jordan an international model for educational response during crises.

The health sector continues its “qualitative and sustainable development,” aiming for an integrated system based on service quality and comprehensive care for all, while maintaining its distinguished regional humanitarian role in serving refugees.

Addressing freedom of opinion and expression, Dr. Abdallat noted that the press sector has seen “remarkable development,” reflecting a “delicate balance between promoting freedoms and ensuring legal accountability” amid growing challenges.

Strategically, he pointed to the launch of the Comprehensive National Plan for Human Rights (2016–2025) and Jordan’s election to the UN Human Rights Council twice. The Kingdom has actively participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, accepting 204 recommendations in its fourth cycle.

Dr. Abdallat lauded the establishment of the Constitutional Court in 2012 as a “pivotal step” in safeguarding constitutional rights and freedoms through judicial review. Furthermore, constitutional amendments between 2011 and 2022 have bolstered the independence of the judiciary, protecting it from political interference and reinforcing the principle of separation of powers.

//Petra// AA
26/05/2025 20:59:13