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COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION STARTS CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF JORDAN
11 August 1998
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AFTERNOON
HR/CERD/98/46
11 August 1998
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon started its consideration of a report from the Government of Jordan on the implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Introducing the report, Turki Haddad, Legal Advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister of Jordan, said his country upheld a religion of love and peace. The Jordanian Government attached great importance to harmonious coexistence of its citizens and of those who lived under its jurisdiction.
Michael P. Banton, the Committee expert serving as country rapporteur to the report of Jordan, said that although the report opened with a claim that there was no racial discrimination in Jordan, there were several ways of ascertaining the incidence of racial discrimination in a country since the perceptions of people who felt marginalized might differ from those of senior Government officials.
Also participating in the debate were Committee members Michael E. Sherifis, Luis Velencia Rodriguez, Ion Diaconu, Régis de Gouttes, Rüdiger Wolfrum, Agha Shahi, Yuri A. Rechetov, Peter Nobel, and Theodoor van Boven.
As one of the 150 States parties to the International Convention, Jordan is obligated to submit periodic summaries on its efforts to implement the provisions of the international instrument.
The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 August, to conclude its consideration of the Jordanian report.
United Nations Information Service at Geneva Press Releases are available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.unog.ch
Report of Jordan
The twelfth periodic report of Jordan (document CERD/C/318/Add.1) states that Jordan is among the States that adhere most strictly to international conventions concerning respect for human rights. Jordan's population is a mixture of various races, religions and minorities. In spite of this mixture, however, there is not discrimination between them and, since they all hold Jordanian nationality, they enjoy the same rights and obligations.
Further, the report describes the situation of Palestinian refugees before and after the establishment of State of Israel; the rights and obligations of political parties; and enumerates the various legislation in force to punish racial discrimination.
Introduction of Report
TURKI HADDAD, Legal Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jordan, introducing his country's report, said that Jordan was strongly committed to its international obligations. It had so far ratified a number of international conventions on human rights, including International Labour Office treaties.
Jordan was proud of its achievements in implementing international conventions in its domestic legislations and through the institutions it had established to that end, Mr. Haddad went on to state. It was equally proud to continue its fight against all forms of racial discrimination inside and outside its territory, he added.
Jordan upheld a religion of love and peace, Mr. Haddad declared, adding that the Government attached great importance to harmonious coexistence of its citizens and of those who lived under its jurisdiction. Jordan also encouraged organizations which combatted racial discrimination in all its form.
Mr. Haddad said that every individual could adopt the religion or belief of his choice and was free to practice the observances of that religion in private or in public. The Government attached great importance in the freedom of religion and prohibited any public favour or employment opportunity based on religion.
As regards nationality, Mr. Haddad said that the King could grant Jordanian nationality to any expatriate who submitted a written declaration opting for it. In addition, a foreign women who married a Jordanian might be granted Jordanian nationality, subject to approval by the Minister of Interior.
With regards to the issuance of passports to Palestinians, Mr. Haddad said that temporary Jordanian passports were given to residents of the West Bank affected by the decision to sever legal and administrative links. In 1988, Jordan announced the severance of its legal and administrative links with the West Bank since it had become essential to endeavour to assist the Palestinian Liberation Organization to assume its responsibilities and proclaim the establishment of the Palestinian State.
Concerning the situation of nomadic people, Mr. Haddad said that the nomadic population was not an independent or isolated segment of the society since the nomads were being absorbed into the major towns and villages and enjoyed the same services as the urban population. Nevertheless, there were still a few non-sedentary nomadic groups engaged primarily in livestock breeding in various parts of the Kingdom.
Mr. Haddad concluded his statement by telling the Committee members about the establishment of a human rights centre which disseminated Arabic translations of the provisions of the Convention and the report presented to the Committee.
Discussion
MICHAEL P. BANTON, the Committee expert serving as country rapporteur to the report of Jordan, said that although the report opened with a claim that there was no racial discrimination in Jordan, there were several ways of ascertaining the incidence of racial discrimination in a country. The perceptions of people who felt marginalized might differ from those of senior Government officials. The lack of court proceedings alleging discrimination could testify to its absence only if it was certain that potential victims knew of the remedies available and had the knowledge and resources to be able to make use of them.
Mr. Banton wanted to know if instigation of racial hatred by a person or organization against a group outside the nation would be unlawful. In Jordan, because of political tensions, there might be a greater likelihood of incitement of racial hatred against Jews than of incitement against another ethnic group. He asked if the Government was aware of the circulation in Jordan of publications like the 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion' or of any statements over the radio which might be construed as constituting racial incitement against Jews. He appreciated that many Jordanians were careful to draw a distinction between Israelis and Jews.
Furthermore, Mr. Banton stressed that article 5 of the Convention required the protection against racial discrimination of any right to equal treatment. He asked if there was any such general right in Jordan; if so was there a protection? It was said that the 1952 Constitution included a section on Rights of the Individual with the provision that "there is to be no discrimination between Jordanians on account of race, religion or language". If so, that should be in the report, he said.
Mr. Banton said that information was lacking on the provision of effective remedies: if someone believed, with justification, that he or she had been denied a position because he was a Chechen or Armenian, and was not rich enough to employ a lawyer, would that person have an effective remedy?
Other Committee members also asked questions on such issues as the existence of racial discrimination despite reluctance to lodge complaints or lack of proper attention by the authorities; the prohibition of racial hatred and propaganda of superiority of one particular race; the situation of migrant workers; discrimination in workplace; and proportional representation of Christians in public affairs, among others.
In response to the numerous questions raised by Committee experts, Mr. Haddad said the reservations made by Jordan on article 14 of the Convention were based on the absence of individual complaints in the country itself. However, it had accepted to be responsible for the expenses of the members of the Committee while they performing their Committee duties.
Mr. Haddad affirmed that any act of racial discrimination in Jordan was accountable and could be brought to justice. Jordan followed a policy of respect for all people in the world and their heritage. Such organizations involved in racial discrimination and propagation of racial superiority were strictly prohibited in the country. In the past, there were no Jews in the country, however, since the signing of the peace accord with Israel, Israelis had started to come to Jordan to establish businesses and as tourists.
Since Jordan did not allow any racial discrimination, the insulting of foreigners or any action directed at discriminating against them was strictly prohibited, Mr. Haddad said. Also, any discrimination based on race or religion was not tolerated in the society, particularly at the workplace.
Jordan discouraged any racial or religion instigation aimed at disturbing public order, Mr. Haddad said, including religious fanatism and extremism in any forms. The Government of Jordan had condemned such tendencies in the past, he said.
The Government of Jordan had been engaged in combatting Zionism as a racist policy in the past, Mr. Haddad recalled, adding it had been part of the Government's policy to fight racism all over the world.
HR/CERD/98/46
11 August 1998
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this afternoon started its consideration of a report from the Government of Jordan on the implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Introducing the report, Turki Haddad, Legal Advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister of Jordan, said his country upheld a religion of love and peace. The Jordanian Government attached great importance to harmonious coexistence of its citizens and of those who lived under its jurisdiction.
Michael P. Banton, the Committee expert serving as country rapporteur to the report of Jordan, said that although the report opened with a claim that there was no racial discrimination in Jordan, there were several ways of ascertaining the incidence of racial discrimination in a country since the perceptions of people who felt marginalized might differ from those of senior Government officials.
Also participating in the debate were Committee members Michael E. Sherifis, Luis Velencia Rodriguez, Ion Diaconu, Régis de Gouttes, Rüdiger Wolfrum, Agha Shahi, Yuri A. Rechetov, Peter Nobel, and Theodoor van Boven.
As one of the 150 States parties to the International Convention, Jordan is obligated to submit periodic summaries on its efforts to implement the provisions of the international instrument.
The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 August, to conclude its consideration of the Jordanian report.
United Nations Information Service at Geneva Press Releases are available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.unog.ch
Report of Jordan
The twelfth periodic report of Jordan (document CERD/C/318/Add.1) states that Jordan is among the States that adhere most strictly to international conventions concerning respect for human rights. Jordan's population is a mixture of various races, religions and minorities. In spite of this mixture, however, there is not discrimination between them and, since they all hold Jordanian nationality, they enjoy the same rights and obligations.
Further, the report describes the situation of Palestinian refugees before and after the establishment of State of Israel; the rights and obligations of political parties; and enumerates the various legislation in force to punish racial discrimination.
Introduction of Report
TURKI HADDAD, Legal Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jordan, introducing his country's report, said that Jordan was strongly committed to its international obligations. It had so far ratified a number of international conventions on human rights, including International Labour Office treaties.
Jordan was proud of its achievements in implementing international conventions in its domestic legislations and through the institutions it had established to that end, Mr. Haddad went on to state. It was equally proud to continue its fight against all forms of racial discrimination inside and outside its territory, he added.
Jordan upheld a religion of love and peace, Mr. Haddad declared, adding that the Government attached great importance to harmonious coexistence of its citizens and of those who lived under its jurisdiction. Jordan also encouraged organizations which combatted racial discrimination in all its form.
Mr. Haddad said that every individual could adopt the religion or belief of his choice and was free to practice the observances of that religion in private or in public. The Government attached great importance in the freedom of religion and prohibited any public favour or employment opportunity based on religion.
As regards nationality, Mr. Haddad said that the King could grant Jordanian nationality to any expatriate who submitted a written declaration opting for it. In addition, a foreign women who married a Jordanian might be granted Jordanian nationality, subject to approval by the Minister of Interior.
With regards to the issuance of passports to Palestinians, Mr. Haddad said that temporary Jordanian passports were given to residents of the West Bank affected by the decision to sever legal and administrative links. In 1988, Jordan announced the severance of its legal and administrative links with the West Bank since it had become essential to endeavour to assist the Palestinian Liberation Organization to assume its responsibilities and proclaim the establishment of the Palestinian State.
Concerning the situation of nomadic people, Mr. Haddad said that the nomadic population was not an independent or isolated segment of the society since the nomads were being absorbed into the major towns and villages and enjoyed the same services as the urban population. Nevertheless, there were still a few non-sedentary nomadic groups engaged primarily in livestock breeding in various parts of the Kingdom.
Mr. Haddad concluded his statement by telling the Committee members about the establishment of a human rights centre which disseminated Arabic translations of the provisions of the Convention and the report presented to the Committee.
Discussion
MICHAEL P. BANTON, the Committee expert serving as country rapporteur to the report of Jordan, said that although the report opened with a claim that there was no racial discrimination in Jordan, there were several ways of ascertaining the incidence of racial discrimination in a country. The perceptions of people who felt marginalized might differ from those of senior Government officials. The lack of court proceedings alleging discrimination could testify to its absence only if it was certain that potential victims knew of the remedies available and had the knowledge and resources to be able to make use of them.
Mr. Banton wanted to know if instigation of racial hatred by a person or organization against a group outside the nation would be unlawful. In Jordan, because of political tensions, there might be a greater likelihood of incitement of racial hatred against Jews than of incitement against another ethnic group. He asked if the Government was aware of the circulation in Jordan of publications like the 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion' or of any statements over the radio which might be construed as constituting racial incitement against Jews. He appreciated that many Jordanians were careful to draw a distinction between Israelis and Jews.
Furthermore, Mr. Banton stressed that article 5 of the Convention required the protection against racial discrimination of any right to equal treatment. He asked if there was any such general right in Jordan; if so was there a protection? It was said that the 1952 Constitution included a section on Rights of the Individual with the provision that "there is to be no discrimination between Jordanians on account of race, religion or language". If so, that should be in the report, he said.
Mr. Banton said that information was lacking on the provision of effective remedies: if someone believed, with justification, that he or she had been denied a position because he was a Chechen or Armenian, and was not rich enough to employ a lawyer, would that person have an effective remedy?
Other Committee members also asked questions on such issues as the existence of racial discrimination despite reluctance to lodge complaints or lack of proper attention by the authorities; the prohibition of racial hatred and propaganda of superiority of one particular race; the situation of migrant workers; discrimination in workplace; and proportional representation of Christians in public affairs, among others.
In response to the numerous questions raised by Committee experts, Mr. Haddad said the reservations made by Jordan on article 14 of the Convention were based on the absence of individual complaints in the country itself. However, it had accepted to be responsible for the expenses of the members of the Committee while they performing their Committee duties.
Mr. Haddad affirmed that any act of racial discrimination in Jordan was accountable and could be brought to justice. Jordan followed a policy of respect for all people in the world and their heritage. Such organizations involved in racial discrimination and propagation of racial superiority were strictly prohibited in the country. In the past, there were no Jews in the country, however, since the signing of the peace accord with Israel, Israelis had started to come to Jordan to establish businesses and as tourists.
Since Jordan did not allow any racial discrimination, the insulting of foreigners or any action directed at discriminating against them was strictly prohibited, Mr. Haddad said. Also, any discrimination based on race or religion was not tolerated in the society, particularly at the workplace.
Jordan discouraged any racial or religion instigation aimed at disturbing public order, Mr. Haddad said, including religious fanatism and extremism in any forms. The Government of Jordan had condemned such tendencies in the past, he said.
The Government of Jordan had been engaged in combatting Zionism as a racist policy in the past, Mr. Haddad recalled, adding it had been part of the Government's policy to fight racism all over the world.