Jordan: End Trials of Protesters for “Undermining Regime”

Proposed Security Court Reform Would Preserve Status Quo

"(Beirut) – Jordanian lawmakers should amend or eliminate vague penal code provisions used to try peaceful protesters on terrorism-related charges.
The cabinet on September 1, 2013, proposed a legal change to restrict the jurisdiction of the quasi-military State Security Court over civilians to terrorism and four other serious crimes – espionage, treason, currency counterfeiting, and drug offenses. But legislators should also narrow the overly broad definition of terrorism to make the new restriction meaningful.

“Jordan’s move to limit civilian trials before military courts is good, but it needs to call a halt to trying peaceful protesters for terrorism,” said Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Jordan should overhaul its outdated penal code and stop dragging civilians in front of the State Security Court just for demonstrating for reform.”

The vaguely worded article 149 of Jordan’s 1960 penal code includes “undermining the political regime” and “inciting resistance” to the government in the “terrorism” section. Since 2011, prosecutors of the State Security Court have increasingly pursued cases against largely peaceful protesters on these grounds. The authorities should release and drop charges against all protesters facing trial before the security court for offenses related solely to the peaceful exercise of their right to free expression and assembly, Human Rights Watch said....."