Civil society groups in Jordan fear that, if passed, the so-called Societies Law would effectively turn independent organizations into an extension of the Jordanian government. The draft law seeks to bar Jordanian nongovernmental organizations from accepting foreign funding without first receiving government approval, as well as require them to submit annual plans and activities for government approval. It also demands that all nongovernmental organizations have at least one government representative on its board of directors.
Freedom House Executive Jennifer Windsor said the draft law is particularly worrisome to see in Jordan, a country considered to be one of the most open in the Middle East
"Passage of this law would be a clear step back for Jordanian democracy,” said Windsor. “It would not only curtail the ability of NGOs to act independently, but it would also send the message that Jordan places a higher value on government control than on freedom of association.”
A growing number of repressive regimes, including Russia, Egypt and Zimbabwe, have sought to silence opposition voices with legislation that weakens civil society with legal restrictions and limits on their ability to receive foreign funding.
Jordan is ranked Partly Free in the 2008 edition of Freedom in the World, Freedom House's survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free in the 2008 version of Freedom of the Press.
For more information on Jordan, visit:
Freedom in the World 2008: Jordan
Freedom of the Press 2008: Jordan
Freedom House, an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world, has been monitoring political rights and civil liberties in Jordan since 1972.
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