By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

AMMAN, Jordan – Prior to Jordan’s address to United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the country for the continued detention of Ahmed Al Oweidi Al Abbadi. Al Abbadi was arrested on May 3 for charges relating to an e-mail he allegedly sent to US Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.  HRW accuses Jordan of targeting Al Abbadi because his pro-democracy stance and for his criticism of the government.  It called for Jordan to halt its “politically motivated prosecution” against Al Abbadi.  Sarah Leah Whitson, director of HRW’s Middle East division, stated, “The only reason al-‘Abbadi languishes in jail waiting for his court verdict is that he’s a government opponent exercising his right to free speech.”

Al Abbadi is charged with several crimes by the Jordanian government: (1) harming Jordan’s reputation, (2) harming state dignity, (3) slandering officials, (4) violating laws of e-mail practices, (5) illegally distributing leaflets, and (6) being a member of an illegal organization.  Al Abbadi, a former member of parliament, is the head of the Jordanian National Movement, a small right-wing organization that calls itself pro-democratic.  Since the Jordanian National Movement is not licensed, under Jordanian law, it is illegal.

In the e-mail, Al Abbadi allegedly accused the Jordanian government of increasing corruption and human rights violations.  Such violations included clamping down on public freedoms, especially the media.  In the letter Al Abbadi allegedly blamed the declining levels of health care and education on government corruption.  His arrest in May followed a complaint by Interior Minister Eid Fayez whose name was mentioned in the letter.

Al Abbadi claims that he is innocent and calls the accusation “politically motivated and malicious.”  He is being tried by the military style State Security Court.  If he is convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

For more information, please see:
Gulf Times – Free ex-MP, rights group urges Jordan – 30 September 2007

AHN – HRW calls for release of Jordanian opposition leader – 28 September 2007

Human Rights Watch – Jordan: Free jailed dissident – 28 September 2007

International Herald Tribune – U.S-based human rights body urges Jordan to release government critic – 28 September 2007

AFP – Jordan ex-MP denies posting anti-regime letter on Internet – 20 September 2007