Jordanian authorities have been accused of weaponizing the new Cybercrimes Law to target and harass journalists, activists, and others who express opinions online that are critical of government policies and practices. Amnesty International has raised concerns about the misuse of this law, which was enacted on 13 August 2023, marking one year since its adoption. The law introduced major amendments to the existing 2015 Cybercrimes Law, expanding the scope of offenses and extending powers that allow the public prosecutor to initiate prosecutions without a personal complaint, particularly when the offense is related to governmental figures or entities.
The new Cybercrimes Law in Jordan includes harsh penalties for offenses such as „spreading fake news,“ „provoking strife,“ „threatening societal peace,“ and „contempt for religions.“ These broadly defined offenses have been used to criminalize forms of expression that are protected under international law. Amnesty International has documented cases of 15 individuals who were prosecuted under this law after criticizing the authorities online. In these cases, the defendants‘ rights were violated, including being arrested without a warrant, not being informed of the reasons for their summons or charges, and being questioned without legal representation.
Aya Majzoub, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, has criticized the Jordanian authorities for their assault on freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The authorities have targeted pro-Palestine activism and criticism of government policies towards Israel, leading to a crackdown that has stifled dissent and created an environment of self-censorship. Majzoub called for the repeal or substantial amendment of the Cybercrimes Law to align it with international human rights standards and to ensure that criticism of government actions is not criminalized.
The Cybercrimes Law has been instrumentalized to silence critics in Jordan, with hundreds of individuals charged for social media posts that criticize the authorities, express pro-Palestinian sentiment, or call for peaceful protests. For example, lawyer and activist Moutaz Awwad was fined for posts criticizing Arab countries‘ policies towards Israel, while journalist Hiba Abu Taha was sentenced for criticizing Jordan’s interception of Iranian missiles headed to Israel. The crackdown on dissent has emboldened the authorities to intensify their actions, as seen in the arrest of journalist Ahmad Hassan al-Zoubi for criticizing the authorities‘ response to strikes.
Amnesty International has also documented cases of activists and journalists being questioned or prosecuted for their coverage of Palestine solidarity protests on social media. Activist Fatima Shubeilat was arrested for participating in a pro-Palestine sit-in, while others faced charges for sharing videos or calling for protests. Additionally, governors have used the Crime Prevention Law to detain critics and activists without charge or trial, circumventing fair trial safeguards normally afforded in criminal proceedings.
The misuse of the Cybercrimes Law in Jordan has raised concerns about the erosion of freedom of expression and the targeting of individuals for peacefully expressing their opinions online. Amnesty International continues to call for the repeal or amendment of the law to protect the rights of individuals to criticize government policies and practices without fear of reprisal. The crackdown on dissent in Jordan highlights the importance of upholding international human rights standards and ensuring that freedom of expression is respected and protected.
