Jordan's Banned Journalists (Press Release, October 1999)

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HRW 1999 World Report: Middle East and North Africa chapter

Jordan's Banned Journalists

(New York, October 29, 1999) -- Human Rights Watch today criticized the provision in Jordan's press law that requires all journalists to join one press association. In a letter to Prime Minister Abdel Raouf Rawabdeh made public today, the international human rights organization called for an amendment to the press and publications law that would revoke mandatory membership in the Jordan Press Association (JPA).

Related Material

Letter to the Prime Minister of Jordan
October 29, 1999


"This case is a perfect illustration of why the press law needs to be amended. Journalists should be free to travel, seek information, and express their opinions. They should not be required to join a specific association, particularly one that has the power to interfere with these freedoms and threaten the loss of one's job."
Hanny Megally Executive Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch

Last week, the JPA's disciplinary committee decided to expel three leading Jordanian journalists as members because they visited Israel in September in violation of the professional association's ban on "normalized" relations with Israel. Jordan's press and publications law makes JPA membership mandatory for anyone working as a journalist in Jordan. The disciplinary committee's decision to expel the three journalists, if endorsed by the JPA leadership, will prevent them from practicing their profession in Jordan.

"This case is a perfect illustration of why the press law needs to be amended," said Hanny Megally, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. "Journalists should be free to travel, seek information, and express their opinions. They should not be required to join a specific association, particularly one that has the power to interfere with these freedoms and threaten the loss of one's job."

For Further Information:
Hanny Megally 212-216-1230
Virginia N. Sherry 212-216-1233

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