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16 August 2000
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CESCR
23rd session
16 August 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon completed its examination of a report on how Jordan implemented the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Committee experts, considering the Jordanian report for a second day, questioned a Government delegation on a variety of issues, including freedom of the press and family planning.
Following Jordan's presentation, the Committee went into a closed meeting to be briefed by Linda Wong, head of Administration for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Committee was also expected to discuss, in closed meeting, its concluding observations on the report of Jordan.
The Jordanian delegation told the panel that there were few restrictions concerning freedom of the press, and any restrictions were in place for public safety. Television fell under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications, but there was growing support to privatize it. Further, there had been instances of censorship in the print media, but that had been lifted by the late King Hussein.
Asked about family planning, the delegation said contraceptives were available and the Government freely distributed birth control methods, and they could be obtained in pharmacies. Twenty years ago, families had many more children, so it was plain to see that family planning was effective.
Each of the 17 universities in Jordan had a Dean in charge of scientific research, which illustrated how seriously that was taken in the country, the delegation said.
The delegation also said that a new programme had been put in place for educating children of the nomadic Bedouin population. Mobile schools had been established for them, and the programme was going to be expanded.
Committee experts will issue their conclusions on the report to Jordan, as well as offer their recommendations on how the country could improve its compliance with the treaty, at the end of their three-week session.
In acceding to the Covenant, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee describing how they give effect to the provisions of the treaty. The panel evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on improving the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
When the Committee resumes in public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 17 August, it will begin its consideration of the third periodic report of Mongolia, in absence of a Government delegation.
Discussion
Answering questions posed by Committee experts about scientific research, the Jordanian delegation said there were 17 universities in Jordan -- seven public and 10 private. In each university, there was a Dean in charge of scientific research. Scientific research was given a big priority in the country.
Asked about freedom of the press, the delegation said there were a few restrictions, but some felt that total freedom could lead to problems, like inciting murders or violence. The Government did not want to turn the issue into a penal code, but it was important to consider public safety.
This was currently a hotly debated issue in Jordan. Television did fall under the Ministry of Communications, but there was growing support to privatize it. In the past, there had been conflicts between Jordan and neighbouring countries, which had led to some censorship. Under the late King Hussein, censorship was lifted. In printed material and printed matter, the press circulated quite freely. In the age of the Internet, it was difficult to block access to information and the media.
Every freedom had a limit. One freedom could not supersede another freedom. No newspapers were really closed down because of censorship. Some had closed because they did not have the capital, but not because of censorship.
Concerning family planning, the delegation said contraceptives were available and the Government freely distributed birth control methods, and they could be obtained in pharmacies. Twenty years ago, families had many more children, so it was plain to see that family planning was effective.
Ninety-six per cent of births took place in hospitals, the delegation said. When that happened, there were a number of tests given to the child right away, allowing any problems to be addressed and dealt with immediately.
About educating the Bedouin, who tended to be nomadic for two months in the springtime, the delegation said the Minister of Education had tried a project that included mobile schools. It was understood that the programme would be extended.
Asked about senior citizens, the delegation said Jordan's was a younger society -- the largest percentage of population was under 15, and there were none of the problems with the aging of the society that were prevalent in Europe. Still, the Government did provide a monthly allowance to elderly people with children. There was also an allowance if the family did not have sufficient income.
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23rd session
16 August 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon completed its examination of a report on how Jordan implemented the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Committee experts, considering the Jordanian report for a second day, questioned a Government delegation on a variety of issues, including freedom of the press and family planning.
Following Jordan's presentation, the Committee went into a closed meeting to be briefed by Linda Wong, head of Administration for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Committee was also expected to discuss, in closed meeting, its concluding observations on the report of Jordan.
The Jordanian delegation told the panel that there were few restrictions concerning freedom of the press, and any restrictions were in place for public safety. Television fell under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications, but there was growing support to privatize it. Further, there had been instances of censorship in the print media, but that had been lifted by the late King Hussein.
Asked about family planning, the delegation said contraceptives were available and the Government freely distributed birth control methods, and they could be obtained in pharmacies. Twenty years ago, families had many more children, so it was plain to see that family planning was effective.
Each of the 17 universities in Jordan had a Dean in charge of scientific research, which illustrated how seriously that was taken in the country, the delegation said.
The delegation also said that a new programme had been put in place for educating children of the nomadic Bedouin population. Mobile schools had been established for them, and the programme was going to be expanded.
Committee experts will issue their conclusions on the report to Jordan, as well as offer their recommendations on how the country could improve its compliance with the treaty, at the end of their three-week session.
In acceding to the Covenant, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee describing how they give effect to the provisions of the treaty. The panel evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on improving the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
When the Committee resumes in public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 17 August, it will begin its consideration of the third periodic report of Mongolia, in absence of a Government delegation.
Discussion
Answering questions posed by Committee experts about scientific research, the Jordanian delegation said there were 17 universities in Jordan -- seven public and 10 private. In each university, there was a Dean in charge of scientific research. Scientific research was given a big priority in the country.
Asked about freedom of the press, the delegation said there were a few restrictions, but some felt that total freedom could lead to problems, like inciting murders or violence. The Government did not want to turn the issue into a penal code, but it was important to consider public safety.
This was currently a hotly debated issue in Jordan. Television did fall under the Ministry of Communications, but there was growing support to privatize it. In the past, there had been conflicts between Jordan and neighbouring countries, which had led to some censorship. Under the late King Hussein, censorship was lifted. In printed material and printed matter, the press circulated quite freely. In the age of the Internet, it was difficult to block access to information and the media.
Every freedom had a limit. One freedom could not supersede another freedom. No newspapers were really closed down because of censorship. Some had closed because they did not have the capital, but not because of censorship.
Concerning family planning, the delegation said contraceptives were available and the Government freely distributed birth control methods, and they could be obtained in pharmacies. Twenty years ago, families had many more children, so it was plain to see that family planning was effective.
Ninety-six per cent of births took place in hospitals, the delegation said. When that happened, there were a number of tests given to the child right away, allowing any problems to be addressed and dealt with immediately.
About educating the Bedouin, who tended to be nomadic for two months in the springtime, the delegation said the Minister of Education had tried a project that included mobile schools. It was understood that the programme would be extended.
Asked about senior citizens, the delegation said Jordan's was a younger society -- the largest percentage of population was under 15, and there were none of the problems with the aging of the society that were prevalent in Europe. Still, the Government did provide a monthly allowance to elderly people with children. There was also an allowance if the family did not have sufficient income.
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