Jordan’s expertise with implementing, enforcing human rights treaties invaluable — official

AMMAN — Jordan’s expertise in the enforcement and implementation of international human rights treaties through incorporating them into the judicial system is invaluable, Director of the Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Department Khalil Abdallat said on Tuesday.

Abdallat’s remarks came during the opening ceremony of the training course organised by Mizan Law Group in cooperation with the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The two-day training course on litigation using the international human rights treaties and Mandela Rules, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, witnessed the participation of members of different governmental institutions, the National Centre for Human Rights and the Public Security Department.

The Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Department is following up on drafting the execution plan of the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights, Abdallat said.

He noted that the government has endorsed 149 UPR recommendations.

The government is also working on the evaluation of the Comprehensive National Plan for Human Rights 2016-2025, which is considered a reference for proceedings, the official added.

Lawyer and executive director of the Mizan Law Group Eva Abu Halaweh, said that the course aims at raising awareness among relevant parties on these treaties and their implementation.

She underlined that this course addresses important amendments to the Jordanian Penal Code were put forward.

Among these amendments, Abu Halaweh explained, is the alternative sanctions suggestion, intended to alleviate the negative impacts of detention and imprisonment.

Ayed Rababaah, head of the judiciary department at the Administration of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centres, said that the Kingdom has 16 correctional and rehabilitation facilities.

Those include one facility for women, he noted, adding that the number of inmates in these facilities, after the general pardon, amounts to 16,000.

Legal Adviser at DIGNITY Calliope Campanile briefed the gathering on the international human rights framework and the Mandela Rules, including ensuring the safety and security for prisoners along with prohibiting torture and discrimination, in addition to reintegrating prisoners into society.