Abdallat: Political Reforms In Jordan Strengthened Human Rights System

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 4 (Petra) - Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry, said that the supreme Political will of the Jordanian state, led by his majesty King Abdullah II, is dedicated to advancing human rights alongside the system of political, economic, and administrative reform and modernization.
Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Ministry of government Communications on Thursday, Abdallat discussed the recommendations from the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Jordan's human rights situation by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Abdallat highlighted that the UPR mechanism is a significant tool for fostering a culture of respect for human rights at the national level, allowing countries to showcase their achievements and receive recommendations for improvement from other member states.
He emphasized Jordan's strong commitment to enhancing its human rights framework, underscoring the importance of inclusive participation from civil society organizations and youth to positively influence policies, legislation, and human rights reports.
"Jordan takes pride in its distinguished record of engagement with the UPR mechanism," said Abdallat, noting that the latest report, submitted in Geneva last January, received high praise from the international community. He stated that over 100 countries made approximately 279 recommendations to Jordan, of which the Jordanian state accepted 204 (73 percent) while noting the remaining 75 recommendations, which are also given due attention.
The accepted recommendations addressed key legal and legislative frameworks, civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, and the rights of various groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and refugees.
Abdallat pointed out the government's efforts, including amending the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, issuing the Cybercrimes Law, and establishing an electronic platform for human rights complaints. The government also directed the National Center for Human Rights to study the legislative impact of the Cybercrimes Law and amend the Access to Information Law to bolster the human rights system in Jordan.
He pointed out that the government approved a range of legislation, policies, and practices to fulfill international human rights obligations, such as amending the Jordanian Constitution, Political Parties Law, Election Law, and issuing the Children's Law, which collectively enhanced the correctional system in Jordan.
The government, he noted, issued the National Youth Strategy, increased women's participation in decision-making, and empowered women politically, economically, and socially. It also activated youth participation through Security Council Resolution 2250 and enhanced women's roles in peace and security via Security Council Resolution 1325.
Abdallat noted that the Prime Minister directed the Human Rights Unit to conduct consultative meetings with national and international institutions, civil society organizations, the media, and stakeholders across the Kingdom to review the achievements and challenges related to the UPR mechanism.
He emphasized the crucial role of community institutions in decision-making and the implementation of the comprehensive national human rights plan. Civil society organizations were involved in discussions in Geneva to ensure diverse community opinions were represented in policy formulation and implementation.
Highlighting the media's role, Abdallat stressed the importance of showcasing joint efforts with national and governmental frameworks to advance the human rights system and anticipate future challenges based on Jordan's interests.

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