The Jordanian constitution expresses the importance of human rights in a whole chapter entitled "The Rights and Duties of Jordanians". It safeguards the rights of Jordanians of all origins including minorities, providing that "Jordanians shall be equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination between them with regards to their rights and duties on grounds of race, language or religion".
In recent years, Jordan has taken substantial steps towards establishing the basics of a pluralistic and organized political structure that serves as a model for the region. Free parliamentary elections were held in 1989, in which candidates from all strands of the ideological spectrum participated. The elections were viewed internationally as among the freest held in the Middle East. Soon after the 1989 elections, the martial law was cancelled, and a new law was issued to legalize political parties in the country. Jordan's National Charter was ratified in 1990, embodying the democratic values of the leadership and people. It reiterated the principles of human and civil rights and the equality of opportunity for men and women alike, and provided a broad range of democratic freedoms.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Jordan welcomes local and international human rights groups to investigate allegations of human rights abuses and publish its findings of government policy. The ICRC is regularly granted permission to visit prisoners and assess the conditions of security detainees in Jordan.
The issue of human rights has many active supporters in Jordan. Active NGOs include the Arab Organization for Human Rights, Jordan Society for Human Rights, Women Committee Forum, and the Human Forum for Women's Rights. On the governmental level, the Royal Commission for Human Rights, The Human Rights Department at the Prime Ministry, the Public Freedoms Committee at the Jordanian Parliament, and the Supreme Court of Justice work to ensure equality and justice, and to monitor the protection of the rights and freedoms of all Jordanians.
Jordan has shouldered enormous human responsibilities. The country has given shelter to three influxes of Palestinians refugees amounting to 1.6 million individuals - a third of Jordan's population. Today, most if not all of the Palestinian refugees carry the Jordanian nationality. Most of these refugees have been integrated into the Jordanian society and less than 300,000 remain in refugee camps. Jordan is proud that all its citizens enjoy equality, civil and human rights regardless of their origin, and the freedom to participate as equals in the democratic process.
Jordan has ratified and signed more than sixteen international Agreements, Treaties, and Declarations on human rights:
Jordan also signed the two optional protocols on the rights of the child concerning pornography and the situation of children in armed conflict.
Jordan is party to the Rome statute for the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Jordan was the first Arab country to ratify the ICC Statute.
Furthermore, Jordan has participated actively in all international conferences and forums with the aim of promoting equality of human dignity, mutual respect, tolerance and justice.
Jordan has shown throughout the years a high level of co-operation with the UNHCR and other United Nations agencies on the issue of refugees (including Iraqis) and displaced persons, to help preserve their rights and insure justice.
Freedom of the press was a main component of Jordan's democratization process. Laws that guarantee freedom of the press have been launched and a higher council for media and the press was established with the aim of upgrading current existing laws and restructuring the foundations of the media sector on democratic grounds and with more private sector involvement.
The judiciary operates as a separate branch of power in Jordan. The constitution states that the judiciary is completely independent and governed by law. The most recent amended independence of the judiciary law provides the higher judicial council with more authorities regarding the appointment of judges, who pass a free and open competition, and their designation. Also, the amended law does not allow the Minister of Justice, as an executive power, to interfere with the legal procedures and court decisions in Jordan.
In 2000-2001 the Royal Committee for Reviewing Judiciary Bylaws presented several recommendations to enhance the independence of the judiciary. Many of these recommendations are already being implemented. These recommendations include the amendment of both the civil and criminal procedures laws with the aim of fostering the process of adjudication in Jordanian courts, and enforcing an amended regulation that provides judges in the Kingdom with additional financial privileges, including higher salaries and medical insurance, in order to ensure their financial independence.
It is also important to stress that both the government and civilian are equal before the law and abide by the rulings and decisions of the competent courts.
Furthermore, any individual has the right to contest an administrative decision issued by the government at the Higher Court of Justice.