AMMAN, Jordan– The recent death of two Jordanians as a result of alleged police brutality has put the spotlight on human rights in Jordan.  These deaths have resulted in local and international human rights groups calling for excessive use of force cases to be tried in civil rather than closed police courts.

The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) in Jordan has warned that existing measures are not enough to deter policemen from using excessive force to impose public law and order.  Nisreen Zreiqat, the director of the NCHR’s criminal justice unit, has said that “we have recommended several times in our reports that cases of torture should be referred to a civil court instead of a police court to ensure the independence and transparency of the decisions.”

Maj Mohammad Khatib, the Public Security Directorate’s (PSD) spokesman, dismissed the NCHR’s concerns and noted that police resort to the use of force only when the situation dictates such.  Khatib has said that “the beatings only occur out of necessity, like when police need to take control of suspects.”  He also noted that “the PSD holds accountable those who resort to excessive use of force outside the law.”

Amnesty International said last week that the deaths of the two men at the hands of police within one week are a “very worrying development.”  They further went on to say that the police courts in Jordan are neither sufficiently independent nor transparent in their conduct.  Since the court decisions are not disclosed and the sessions are closed to the public, Amnesty International and other human rights groups fear that the current system in place serves as no deterrent to police brutality.

In response, the PSD defended itself.  They released a statement saying that “the trials take place within a court as a sign of respect to the uniform which we revere.  The police court decisions related to crimes are further reviewed by the court of cessation, which is an independent body.”

Nonetheless, the recent deaths have sparked a wave of anger throughout Jordan.

For more information, please see:

The National Newspaper- Deaths Put Spotlight on Human Rights in Jordan– 6 December 2009

The Seattle Times- Second Police Beating Raises Alarm in Jordan– 16 November 2009

Al Bawaba- Jordan: Second Citizen Dies by Police Beating– 15 November 2009