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Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expresses grave concern over the escalating pattern of arrests targeting journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders in Jordan.
The organization condemns the recent wave of detentions and urges the Jordanian authorities to uphold their constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
WJWC affirms that the rights to free expression and political participation constitute fundamental liberties that must be safeguarded by any legal system committed to political pluralism and press freedom.
II. Recent Arrests and Detentions
WJWC has documented a disturbing surge in arrests since early May 2026, with security forces targeting individuals for their political views and solidarity activities. The following cases are of particular concern:
- Dr. Rami Ayasrah: Arrested on 13 May by the General Intelligence Directorate in a public space without disclosure of grounds for detention or formal charges filed.
- Hussam Mashah: Former President of the Teachers' Syndicate, arrested on 11 May without explanation or stated justification.
These incidents form part of a broader campaign to restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, reportedly linked to attempts to suppress solidarity activities with Palestinians in Gaza, where civilians continue to endure the consequences of ongoing mass atrocities committed by Israeli occupation forces.
III. Documented Cases of Persecution
Since the beginning of May, WJWC has verified at least five arrests of activists. Authorities have repeatedly invoked vaguely defined provisions under the Cybercrimes Law to detain politicians, educators, trade unionists, and journalists—frequently in connection with activities expressing support for Gaza, criticism of the war, or the exercise of legitimate peaceful expression.
Specific cases documented by WJWC include:
Table
|
Individual |
Circumstances of Detention |
Concerns Raised |
|
MP Wissam Rabihat |
Subjected to a travel ban in connection with fundraising initiatives for Gaza; charged with money laundering. Had previously been detained alongside residents of Tafilah district for participating in anti-war protests. |
Application of money laundering charges to transparent solidarity activities raises serious legal and procedural concerns. |
|
Hamza Al-Akaileh |
Engineer from Tafilah; arrested for organizing fundraising activities in support of Gaza. |
Criminalization of humanitarian solidarity. |
|
Dr. Falah Al-Arini |
Writer; detained after formally requesting authorization to hold a peaceful protest—a right explicitly guaranteed under the Jordanian Constitution and the Public Assemblies Law. |
Repression of constitutionally protected assembly rights. |
|
Muath Fares Awad |
Activist; arrested on 20 April after criticizing budget allocations for the Senate President's office and addressing a letter to King Abdullah II requesting a general amnesty. After bail was denied, he commenced a hunger strike, prompting serious health concerns. On 7 May, a Jordanian court sentenced him to one year in prison following only three hearings, during which he was denied the right to present a defense. |
Raises profound concerns regarding fair trial standards and due process guarantees. |
|
Hiba Abu Taha |
Journalist; sentenced in early May by the Amman Magistrate's Court to two years in prison for online posts deemed "harmful to national security." The posts expressed support for Iranian missile strikes and criticized official narratives. |
Criminalization of journalistic expression and opinion. |
IV. Pattern of Repression and Legal Framework
WJWC notes that Jordanian authorities have systematically harassed and detained demonstrators and activists exercising their right to peaceful expression in solidarity with Palestinians since the onset of the war on Gaza in October 2023. Authorities have prohibited numerous peaceful gatherings and charged detainees under the August 2023 Cybercrimes Law, whose vague provisions are being instrumentalized to criminalize peaceful expression.
Detainees are frequently accused of "inciting sedition" for social media posts supporting Gaza or calling for strikes and peaceful actions. They face severe penalties, including imprisonment, substantial fines, and coerced pledges to abstain from future activities.
These measures constitute clear violations of:
- Article 15 of the Jordanian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression;
- Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention;
- Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression.
V. Recommendations and Calls to Action
WJWC calls upon the Jordanian authorities to implement the following measures without delay:
1. Immediate Release: Release all individuals currently detained for the peaceful exercise of their opinions or political activities.
2. Legal Reform: Cease reliance on vague and imprecise legal provisions, particularly those contained in the Cybercrimes Law of August 2023, and ensure that domestic legislation conforms to international human rights standards.
3. End Security Prosecutions: Terminate security-based prosecutions of journalists, activists, trade unionists, and human rights defenders.
4. Guarantee Fundamental Freedoms: Ensure the full enjoyment of citizens' rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, free from intimidation, reprisal, or punitive measures.
VI. Conclusion
WJWC underscores the imperative for Jordan to honor its constitutional commitments and international human rights obligations by protecting public freedoms and ensuring respect for the rule of law. Strengthening trust between state institutions and civil society requires genuine adherence to due process, transparency, and the protection of fundamental liberties.
