Amman Center for Human Rights Studies

Annual Report 2018

T: +96264655043 Amman - Al Abdali info@achrs.org

F: +96264655043 www.achrs.org
 Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1

About the Center 3

Our Fundamentals and Priorities 3
Objectives 3

The Center’s Activities in 2018 4

The Jordanian Institute of Women Leaders Project 4
ACHRS celebrated the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th graduating classes of the Jordanian
Institute for Women Leaders (JIWL) 4
Workshops and Trainings 6
Workshop on Cybercrime 6
Workshop on "Governance in the Management of Programs, Projects, Networks and
Alliances of Civil Society Organizations" 7
Conferences 8
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region 8
General Assembly of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative
relations with the United Nations (CoNGO) 9
Conference on Early and Forced Marriages in Amman 10
CWWM Conference in Marrakech 11
The 70th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights 12
First session of 13th class of the Jordanian Institute for Women’s Leadership Program
(JIWL) 13
Seminar on the Participation of Youth in Public Life 14
Workshop: Lawyering Skills: How to Handle a Death Penalty Case 15
Symposium on Human Rights and Combating Domestic Violence 16
Seminar: Discussion on Tolerance anti Hatred 17
Women's Participation in Decision-Making Positions 18
Seminar: International Standards for Fair Trials 19
Celebration Event for the Rights of Persons with Disability 20
Seminar: Academic Freedom in Universities 21
Film Screening: “Stories on Human Rights” 22
Celebration Event on Human Rights Day 23
Other activities 24
The Establishment of the Jordanian Network for Human Rights (JNHR) 24

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 ACHRS hosts a delegation of students from Jerash 25
We Gov! Final Seminar in Tunis 26
International Youth Day 27
Seminar on the Official Reports from Civil Society Organizations submitted to for the
Third Session of the Universal Periodic Review 28
Reports and Publications 29
“Emancipatory Education in Jordanian Universities (Survey Study)" 29
“Women deprived of liberty: the case of Jordan” 29
“The negative effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human right and fundamental
freedom: the case of Jordan” 29

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 About the Center

Our Fundamentals and Priorities

Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) is an independent non-governmental Think
Tank center advocating for the enhancement of democracy and human rights in Jordan and the
MENA region. The center’s five priorities are the right to life, the right to speak, the right to
think, the right to participate, and women’s rights. The Center works to achieve its goals by
lobbying; spreading awareness via conferences and symposiums; writing official statements,
declarations, reports, articles, and booklets; and establishing and maintaining relations to
international organizations and embassies. Furthermore, ACHRS has special consultative status
with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

Objectives
● Disseminating human rights and spreading knowledge about international human rights
and humanitarian law in Jordan and the Arab region
● Contributing to a more democratic society and enhancing the rule of law in a way that
respects human rights
● Providing a free platform for dialogue for coordinating efforts undertaken by
governmental and non-governmental organizations that are active in human rights
● Aiding governmental and non-governmental organizations in monitoring, documenting,
and following up on human rights, as a step towards enforcing these rights on all
legislative and executive levels
● Participating in the revision of local laws and regulations in order to support and uphold
human rights
● Dedicating attention to those segments of society in need of special protection

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 The Center’s Activities in 2018

The Jordanian Institute of Women Leaders Project

ACHRS celebrated the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th graduating classes of the
Jordanian Institute for Women Leaders (JIWL)

Jordanian Institute for Women Leaders’ Graduation Ceremony.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
and the Amman Forum Society for Human Rights organized the ​graduation ceremony of the
participants in classes 10th, 11th and 12th at the Jordanian Institute for Women Leaders​.
51 participants from Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen and Sudan were awarded with their
diploma and took their oath to become leaders of tomorrow and to bring positive example in the
society. Speakers for the occasion were: His Excellency Peter McDougall, Canadian

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Ambassador, Mr. Ziad El Sheikh, UN Women's Representative, Mr. Egidjius Navikas, Head of
the Political, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to Jordan, Dr. Lubna Bayouq,
Member of the Scientific Council at ACHRS and Mrs. Fatima Halima (Syrian) representing all
women leaders graduated from the program. Special mentions and thanks for their precious work
during the entire program go to the trainers Dr. Ibrahim Hijazin, Dr. Hashem Nassar (lawyer)
and Amani Oweis (lawyer), Islam Alzateemeh (lawyer), Raed al-Athamneh (lawyer), Manhal
AlSuidh (lawyer), Salem Alqubailat (journalist).

An extract of the speech of Fatima Halima, representing the graduates from the program:

‘each training issue was related to the past to see the mistakes and lack of women's role in many
aspects and to connect them to the present, which requires more efforts, especially women, to
work on various human rights issues and to reach a leading and pioneering role of Arab women,
which is absent in many aspects of society and political leadership or is used as a cosmetic
framework for institutions looking for women to provide a picture acceptable to the other.’

On the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we were honoured to
have the patronage of H.E. Dr. Musa Maaytah​, minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The event included the graduation ​ceremony for the 13th
Class of the Jordan Institute for Women’s Leadership Program​. At the end of the ceremony,
H.E. Mr Musa Maaytah and Dr. Nizam Asaf handed over the certificates to the female graduates
of the 13​th class of the Women Leadership Program: Amal Al-Shawawneh, Ayat Al-Shobaki,
Kholoud Shakkawa, Dr. Heba Haddadin, Sawalma, Noor Abu Bakr, Sereen Abu Yahya, Sara Al
Qassem, Rola Zaidan and Sindas Al-Qaisi.

Following, an extract of the speech of the graduate Rola Zaidan:

‘Today, I feel that I am born again through this course. I have a new and enlightened new
thinking, and along with my colleagues, have surpassed the limited traditional view of things,
phenomena, and processes in the world of thought, society, and nature that we live today.’

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 Workshops and Trainings

Workshop on Cybercrime

The Jordanian Network for Human Rights, in cooperation with the Amman Center for Human
Rights Studies and Al Diaa Law Firm, held a workshop on cybercrime at the Amman Center
Hall on July 21st, 2018. The workshop dealt with the general provisions on cybercrime, and
electronic crimes.

At the beginning of the workshop, Eng. Deeb Ghanma, the President of the Jordanian Network
for Human Rights, welcomed the lecturers and the participants by explaining the objectives of
the training. The workshop concluded with the distribution of practical applications to fill in
concerning complaints related to electronic crimes and human rights claims.

The lectures were presented by Dr. Hashim Nassar and Dr. Mohammed Al Fawarah.

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Workshop on "Governance in the Management of Programs, Projects, Networks
and Alliances of Civil Society Organizations"

The Jordanian Network for Human Rights ( JNHR) held the workshop at the Solidarity Society
hall in cooperation with the Association of Jordanian Women Solidarity, on the 7th of August.

The participants of the event were 15 members, and the Honorable Attorney Asma Khadr
facilitated the training. The workshop is part of the Jordanian Human Rights Network's program
with the aim to develop the capabilities of the member of the organizations. The workshop
presented a general introduction to the concept of governance, and discussed on the foundations
and opportunities for networks and alliances to success practical applications.

The Network for Social Accountability in the Arab World, established in 2013, brings together
organizations and associations from seven Arab countries, including the Amman Center for
Human Rights Studies. The network has already carried out a number of training projects on the
methodology and tools of social accountability in seven Arab countries in the previous years,
including a project on "slow litigation" carried out by the Amman Center for Human Rights
Studies.

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 Conferences

Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region

ACHRS, participated in two roundtable discussions on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on

responsible consumption and production. The Regional Forum took place in Geneva on the
1​st​and 2​nd​ of March at the ​Centre International de Conférences de Genève.​

The first roundtable, titled “Successful approaches to delivering on Sustainable Consumption and
Production (SCP) by 2030”, gave space for representatives of various countries to present their
actions in terms of SCP strategies development, green procurement and the advancement of
green technology.

Under this second roundtable, the discussion covered fundamental themes, such as
transformation of the agriculture sector to be more sustainable and more oriented to reuse of
resources, as well as enhancing research and pushing for transformation in the production by
introduction of eco and social labels and attract companies to comply with them.

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General Assembly of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in
consultative relations with the United Nations (CoNGO)

ACHRS delegation: Dr. Nizam Assaf, Director of the center, Danny Casprini, former project consultant and coordinator of the
International Relations Unit at ACHRS, Mr. Morten Hansen and Jeppe Køster, former interns.

From the 1​st to the 3​rd of March a delegation of ACHRS took part in the General Assembly of the
Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative relations with the United
Nations (CoNGO), which took place in Geneva, Switzerland. The topic of the General Assembly
was “Challenges Today and Tomorrow Towards Agenda 2030 – NGOs and United Nations
Together”.

The first session of the conference was dedicated to celebrate the 70th anniversary of CoNGO
and its achievements, featuring a performance by the Theatre of Transformation titled “Shared
Human Values to Enact Collective Transformation”. All the other sessions presented
administrative issues and gave enough space for reports from the President Cyril Ritchie, the
First Vice President Soon-Young Yoon, the Vice President Vienna Wolfgang Beiglboeck, as
well as the treasurer Elizabeth Benham. They all highlighted the situation of CoNGO during the
past triennium highlighting success and achievements as well as downfalls to be fixed for the
future.

The board reported on the activities carried out in the past triennium in terms of advocacy, taking
into account also the successes of the regional and substantive committees and paving the way
towards agenda 2030, in terms of support to Sustainable Development Goals implementation. In
particular, the Assembly discussed on the need to lobby with the United Nations General
Assembly 5th Committee on Budget to not operate further reduction to UN budget for next year.

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Conference on Early and Forced Marriages in Amman

The four members of the International Relations Unit, Danny Casprini, Elena Manfellotto,
Keenan Roarty, and Matthias Tassier, attended the 2nd National Institute on Early and Forced
Marriage in Amman Jordan, from April 10th to 12th 2018 organized by the American-based
company Vital Voices.

ACHRS was also represented by fifteen women leaders who have participated in previous
ACHRS events and tackled were consequences and causes of child marriage and proposed
solutions in order to prevent early marriages. The conference consisted of lively and informative
discussions on different aspects of early and forced marriages from legal, social, cultural, and
economic perspectives. Experts in the field contributed their own unique perspectives and
experiences on each programs. Specific case studies were analyzed by all participants, and
discussed in both small groups and large groups.

Early and forced marriages are far too common in Jordan. UNICEF estimates that 9% of
Jordanian women are married under the age of 18. When one only considers Syrian refugees,
that number goes up to 32%. Reasons for early and forced marriages include culture, poverty,
and desire to give responsibility for girls to new families. While Jordanian law technically
requires woman to be 18 to marry, there are written exceptions which allow minors to get
married if the marriage serves an “economic, social, or security interest.” There are also

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discrepancies for how one currently interprets the law. Some judges consider the age of 18 to be
“17 plus one day”, a problem with a huge loophole!

CWWM Conference in Marrakech

ACHRS was glad to be part of the conferences organized by Churches Witnessing with Migrants
(CWWM), taking place in Marrakesh, the 7th and the 8th of December. The aim of the
conference was to collect all the information regarding the issues concerning migration and to
come up with practical solutions.

The IRU Coordinator Valeria Cristofoli was representing ACHRS and had the opportunity to
meet some migrants and refugees coming from the sub Saharan region and she listened to their
stories. During the conference, various experts gave speeches, such as on the Moroccan context
concerning migration and the global compact on migration.

Other testimonies coming from southeast Asia told their personal experiences as domestic
workers and how they were physically abused and exploited. After having a view about the
African and Asian context, a Latin American case was also highlighted and analysed by an

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activist from Ecuador who tried to explain the reasons behind of the exodus from Latin America
to the United States.

The 70th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights

On the occasion of the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights on December 10th, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) hosted a
series of activities culminating on Human Rights Day, December 10, to commemorate the day
the Universal Declaration was adopted. Our agenda consisted of lectures, trainings seminars and
a film screening, among other events that covered various human rights topics.

We were honored to have his excellency, ​Prime Minister Dr. Omar Al-Razzaz​, as patronage to
the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We were encouraged by his
commitment to Parliamentary reforms that will support the Jordanian people and reduce
corruption in the public sector.

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First session of 13th class of the Jordanian Institute for Women’s Leadership
Program (JIWL)

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies began the implementation of the JIWL program. The

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training course focused on the relationship between human rights, citizenship, democracy and the
constitution according to the population's perspective and the public authorities'.

One the topic “religion and human rights”, ACHRS dedicated a training. The training included
the explanation of the concept of human rights and its role in society, as a universal idea, as well
as the notion of freedom of belief and freedom of religion. Additionally, a comparison between
the rights contained in the international human rights laws and the rights contained in the
Islamic religion was made. Riad Al-Sobh, Director of the Strategic Center for Human Rights
Training, was the trainer for this session.

On November 19th, the “​Time Management” training course took place. The training was
conducted by the researcher and trainer Ola Kassab.

Seminar on the Participation of Youth in Public Life

The Center organized, in cooperation with the Women's Working Society, Rusaifa, in Zarqa
Governorate, on October 6, 2018, a seminar on the participation of youth in public life.

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 Dr. Nizam Assaf, the Director of the Center, talked about the right of the citizens to participate in
the management of public affairs in society and what the State directly and indirectly, on the
basis of the principle of "people source of powers", provides for the Jordanian Constitution. He
also emphasized which were the rights guaranteed by the Constitution based on the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights such as: the freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of
peaceful assembly and association and political participation, including the right to vote and to
be elected through free and fair elections and to hold public office in various positions of the
State.

The symposium included dialogues and interactions among the participants, in which the
importance of participation in public life for the population as citizens who contribute the
management of their country was emphasized.

Workshop: Lawyering Skills: How to Handle a Death Penalty Case

The trainer, Julianne Romy, with the participants to the workshop on the World Day Against the Death Penalty.

In Commemoration of the 16th World Day against the Death Penalty, on 10 October 2018, ACHRS
organized a ​Workshop for lawyers on how to handle a Death Penalty Cases. The workshop was

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conducted by Julianne Romy, an International criminal lawyer , and consisted on t​rainings on fair
trial rights and handling complex cases​.

The workshop is part of a bigger umbrella: the “​Anti Death Penalty Research and Advocacy
Project”. ​The project, ​for which ACHRS is currently rising funds, aims at the gradual abolition of
the death penalty in Jordan and the Arab World. The four main objectives of the Project are to:
provide a detailed overview on the use of the death penalty in Jordan and the Arab World and steps
required to end the practice; create societal understanding of the negative effects of the death
penalty; develop the capacity of legal professionals in ensuring the fair trial rights of those facing
the death penalty; and engage in dialogue and advocacy towards the formulation and application of
legal reforms abolishing the death penalty.

The Pproject is innovative: through a combination of cross-cutting activities, the ACHRS will reach
all levels of the Jordanian and Middle East societies to ensure public support for change and the
enactment of legal reforms towards the abolition of the death penalty

Symposium on Human Rights and Combating Domestic Violence

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On October 18, 2018 ACHRS partnered with Manara Al-Amal International Academy of
Education in hosting a symposium in which panelists discussed the issues of domestic violence,
followed by interactive discussions and presentations from the students about different aspects
within the larger issue.

Under the technical assistance of Professor Naima Hishmah and the supervision of Dr.
Mohammad Al-Jamal, Are Halabi, Alaa Kharabsheh, and Dr. Nizam Assaf, students engaged in
a dialogue about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The major topics addressed
included the right to education, right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, political
participation, and participation in the management of public affairs.

Along with the dialogue, students engaged in a wide range of activities pertaining to the topics.
10th grade students gave presentations, held discussions, drew caricatures, and performed a
silent play as a means of expressing their understanding about violence. Female students from
the 9th grade gave a presentation on family violence.

Seminar: Discussion on Tolerance anti Hatred

On October 25, ACHRS and the Center for Change and Sustainable Development held a
discussion titled "Tolerance and Anti-Hatred" that outlined its negative consequences and ways
to overcomes these challenges.

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Dr. Ali Yousuf Al-Atoum, the advisor of the Center for Productivity Enhancement in Irada at the
Governorate of Ajloun and Chairman of Al-Jabal Association for Special Education, pointed out
that intolerance and hatred in this world often brings to the scourge of wars, armed conflicts,
violent extremism, killing, slaughtering and maiming and other practices that violate human
rights, and are against equality and non-discrimination. Dr. Nizam Assaf spoke about the impact
of intolerance and hatred against human rights and freedom, indicating the danger of selective
interpretation of human rights and the non-recognition of democracy as a method and way of
life, the disrespect and non acceptance of diversity and diversity of cultures, and the justification
of violence and terrorism.

Dr. Assaf emphasized that the fight against intolerance, hatred and violent extremism needs the
enactment of legislation prohibiting hate speech, in addition to an amendment in the curriculum,
and the development of public awareness activities that encourage tolerance, respect of opinions
and the promotion of a culture of dialogue and acceptance of the others.

Women's Participation in Decision-Making Positions

In collaboration with Mulayh Sports Club in Madaba and the Parallel Youth Council in Muluah,
ACHRS facilitated a panel discussion with women leaders to talk about the importance of
women's participation in the management of state and society, thus leading women into

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decision-making positions. Three women, members of the Madaba governorate council, were
represented in the province of Dheban, : Asma al-Ruhanna, Alia al-Aktash, and Mulauh Felihah
al-Qubailat, . They emphasized the importance of women's participation in public work and thus
their access to decision-making positions. Ms. Haya Qabailat, who participated in the 13th class
of the Jordanian Institute for Women Leaders, moderated the discussion.

The women from the province of Dheban have been active in the public work for many years and
their experience is positive and it's seen as a stimulating experience for other women, The
women from Dheban received the support of all men and women, and this province has proved
on several occasions that it chooses the competent person regardless of whether he is a man or
she is a woman. Ms. Haya Qabailat added that this indicates a great step that the society has
made in the province of Dheban to get out of the masculine mentality. However, there are still
several factors that play a role in obstructing the access of competent women or even men to
decision-making positions, including black money or political money, and bias to the "party" of
the clan, in addition to the weakness of employment opportunities for women on the one hand
and to compete in the quota limits on the other hand

​ Seminar: International Standards for Fair Trials

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A symposium entitled "International Standards for Fair Trials" was held at the University of
Jerash in cooperation with the Faculty of Law on Monday the 19th of November. More than 100
students from the faculty of law attended the event. The speakers of the event were: ​Professor
Ahmed Al Hawamdeh, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jerash; Dr. Nizam Assaf,
Director of ACHRS; Dr. Jihad Al-Otaibi, President of the Administrative Tribunal of the League
of Arab States and Judge and President of the Jordanian Administrative Tribunal; and Dr. Ghaleb
Hawamdeh, head of the Public Law Department at the Faculty of Law.

Professor Ahmed Al Hawamdeh and Dr. Nizam Assaf ​focused on ​the importance of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its role in achieving international humanitarian
standards. They both underlined its lack of implementation in the Arab World. On the other
hand, Dr. Jihad Al-Otaibi and Dr. Ghaleb Hawamdeh talked about the international standards of
fair trial and the fact that a fair trial is a fundamental human right recognized internationally and
should have an impact in every national law as well.

Celebration Event for the Rights of Persons with Disability

The seminar began with a welcoming word from the Director of the Center, stating that persons
with disabilities are part of society and must be qualified and integrated into all activities.

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Dr. Asrar Qabilat talked about the Beit AL-Liqa Center and its role in highlighting this category
of Persons with Disabilities in any topic of discussion. A stereotype still exists in society that
people with disabilities do not have the qualifications and abilities to work and are thus exposed
to marginalization. There is a gap between the law and the implementation of it. The law
stressed the need to provide the general environment and environmental facilities in public
places and streets. The law also ensured the protection of journalists and witnesses who detect
cases of violence, exploitation or violation of the rights of persons People with disabilities.

Teacher Ghassan Moallem Mosaics, Agriculture and Teacher Rogina talked about the production
kitchen at Beit Al-Liqa. It provides an opportunity for their students to acquire real professions
skills and to introduce them in the labor market. The students of the Center presented a dance
and singing section with a video showing pictures of their daily lives.

Seminar: Academic Freedom in Universities

The Freedom Center for Development and Human Rights, in cooperation with the ACHRS,
organized a seminar entitled "Academic Freedom in Jordan", hosted by the Mousa Al Saket
Center in the city of Al-Salt.

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The Chairman of the Board of the Freedom Center for Development and Human Rights, Dr. Ali
Al-Dabbas, said that the workshop was held because the organizers strongly believe in the
importance of the role of academic freedom and in its contribution to effectively build the
capacity of teachers and students. He believes that this is an important step to take in order to
build a society in which the rights are respected and individuals are able to express themselves.
He added that the choice of hosting such event in the city of Al-Salt was because of its historical
role: it represents a city with great educational system in Jordan since the first secondary school
in the Kingdom was built there.

The workshop was attended by a group of civil society activists and university professors, who
presented a series of speeches that showed a number of issues faced to promote academic
freedom, in particular how the ongoing traditional method of teaching in universities that does
not allow students to express their own opinions and engage in creating students unions.

Film Screening: “Stories on Human Rights”

On November 27, 2018, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) organized a
film screening entitled "Stories on Human Rights" that took place at the French Institute in
Amman.

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“Stories on Human Rights” consists of 22 short movies lasting 3 minutes each. It is produced by
Art for The World, a non-governmental organization based in Geneva and Milan, in
collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Several filmmakers, artists and writers realized this project back in 2008 to mark the 60th
Anniversary of the UDHR. The movies represent social issues and concerns relevant to human
rights; issues ACHRS considers relevant to this day. It covers six main themes relevant to the
UDHR: culture, development, dignity and justice, environment, gender, and participation. The
movies were shot in more than 15 countries around the world and in different languages.

Valeria Cristofoli, the International Relations Unit Coordinator of ACHRS, introduced ACHRS
and the short movies. She thanked the French Institute and Art for The World for sharing the
movies free of charge and for giving ACHRS the opportunity to show them to a crowd composed
of Jordanians and foreigners.

Dialogue with the Student Parliament on the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights

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The Center organized a dialogue with the Student Parliament on the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights on Wednesday, 5/12/2018 in the school hall.

After the speech of the school director, teacher Amal Khawaja, explained the school's programs
and how they take care of human rights issues of all the students through a number of activities.

Dr.Nizam Assaf talked about the UDHR and explained the right to education, participation in the
management of public affairs in society and the State, freedom of thought, opinion and
expression, freedom of association, trade unions, peaceful parties and groups, freedom of
peaceful assembly and political participation, including the importance of fair elections.

The dialogue included an activity presented by female parliamentarians on equality, the right to
security, a presentation, discussions and caricatures.

Celebration Event on Human Rights Day

On the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we were honoured to
have the patronage of H.E. Dr. Musa Maaytah, minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs of
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The event included the graduation ceremony for the 13th
Class of the Jordan Institute for Women’s Leadership Program. Around 400 people attended the
event at the Royal Cultural Centre in Amman and among the audience were ministers,

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ambassadors and foreign representatives, members of political parties, religious leaders,
members of non-profit and civil society organizations, and students.

The guest speakers included Dr. Lubna Bayouq, professor of political science, a member of the
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies’ Scientific council and a graduate of the third class of
the Women Leadership programme at ACHRS; H.E. Mr. Stefano Severe, Regional
Representative of UNHCR in Jordan; the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to
Jordan, H.E. Mr. Andrea Matteo Fontana; the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa H.E.
Mr. John Davis; the Jordanian Government’s Coordinator for Human Rights Mr. Basil
al-Tarawneh; the Commissioner-General of the National Center for Human Rights in Jordan Dr.
Musa Buraizat; and the patron of the event H.E. Mr. Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political and
Parliamentary Affairs.

At the end of the ceremony, H.E. Mr Musa Maaytah and Dr. Nizam Asaf handed over the
certificates to the female graduates of the 13​th class of the Women Leadership Program: Amal
Al-Shawawneh, Ayat Al-Shobaki, Kholoud Shakkawa, Dr. Heba Haddadin, Sawalma, Noor Abu
Bakr, Sereen Abu Yahya, Sara Al Qassem, Rola Zaidan and Sindas Al-Qaisi.

Other activities

The Establishment of the Jordanian Network for Human Rights (JNHR)

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The Jordanian Network for Human Rights (JNHR), a coalition of Jordanian human rights
organizations, was established in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan! The network consists of
ten Jordanian human rights organizations: the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
(ACHRS), the Jordanian Society for Human Rights (JSHR), the Arab Women's Organization
(AWO), Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI Jordan), I am a Human Society for Rights of
Disabled People, Organization for Social and Economic Empowerment for Women, Bent Al
Badiya for Human Rights, Women Helping Women Network/Jordan, Amman Forum Society for
Human Rights (AFSHR), and Manara Center for Social Justice and Human Rights.

The primary scope of the network's activities is in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its
mission is to promote collective action in the field of human rights to ensure a common vision
and common positions based on the principles of the International Bill of Human and Peoples'
Rights and the human values guaranteeing human rights and freedoms in a cooperative and
complementary context between the work of the organizations.

ACHRS hosts a delegation of students from Jerash

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The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies hosted a delegation of students along with two
teachers from the Jerash Preparatory School for Girls on Monday on the 23 of April. The
participants ranged from grades seven to ten and were chosen from members of the school’s
parliament. The meeting served as an introduction for the students in the history of human rights
and how these rights manifest themselves in daily life.

Dr. Nizam Assaf led a discussion in which the students identified examples of human rights and
on what basis people’s rights may be discriminated against. The bright young students were
curious to know the relationship and distinction between rights and duties, the role that traditions
play in human rights, and if rights differ among people or nations. The students were particularly
interested in the rights of refugees and cited the difficult situation for refugees in Arab countries
regarding their lack of nationality and right to work. Dr. Nizam Assaf closed the meeting with a
brief explanation of the center’s mission and priorities and urged the students to focus on their
education, as it is the only way they can understand and advocate for their own rights in the
future.

We Gov! Final Seminar in Tunis

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From the 22​nd to the 25​th of June a delegation of the Jordanian organisations involved in the
implementation of the project “​WeGov! Empowering MENA CSOs in policy making​”
participated in the project’s final seminar in Tunis.

The final event, in the form of a roundtable, took place at the Majestic Hotel in Tunis on the 23​rd
and 24​th of June. It was a good opportunity to meet the “WeGov!” partners from the other
countries involved in the project (Tunisia, Libya and Palestine) and to share practices and
experiences, but also to reinforce the network of MENA organisations working in the field of
democracy and good governance. ​The seminar was divided into four sessions, each of them of
the duration of half a day.

Overall the seminar has been successful in reaching the objective of connecting project’s
partners from different countries and in giving a forum for them to share their experience in
working for the achievements of the objectives of “WeGov!”. Thanks to the highly professional
moderators chosen by the organisers for the different sessions, all the debate and discussion
rounds took place in a climate of mutual respect and sincere cooperation among the participants.
We acknowledge the great results achieved in the three years project and we hope that the
outcome of this seminar will have a great impact for all the organisation that participated in it.

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International Youth Day

The 12th of August 2018 ACHRS hosted 13 students from different universities of Jordan to
celebrate the international youth day and to debate on the theme the UN selected for the year
2018: ​“​Safe Spaces for Youth”​ .

The debate started with a general brainstorming on what was their idea of safe space. After, they
highlighted the lack of clubs and centers inside their universities that could allow them to speak
freely especially when it comes to politics. A space they all agreed that was not safe at all is the
digital one in particular social media and the contents of the posts. Since the law is also not very
clear to which extent a person is free to express himself or herself, it’s considered dangerous and
a risk to speak out against any public authority or whatever comes up in their mind about any
kind of issue because there could be a very high chance of getting arrested.

We were pleased to invite these students and create a “safe space” for them to discuss and debate
not only on this specific theme but on the matters that usually they don’t have always the
opportunity to talk about.

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Seminar on the Official Reports from Civil Society Organizations submitted to for
the Third Session of the Universal Periodic Review

Seminar “Universal
Periodic Review of Human
Rights in Jordan”.

The Jordanian Network for Human Rights in cooperation with the Arab Women's Association,
hosted the fourth symposium on October 20, 2018, entitled "Universal Periodic Review of
Human Rights in Jordan". The seminar discussed the role of the Arab Women’s Association and
other Jordanian human right organizations in producing and presenting the official reports to the
third session of the UPR.

In Karama Coalition’s final report, a great emphasis was placed on the issue Jordanian children
face in obtaining the right to the nationality of their mothers. In its report, the Arab Women's
Association called on Jordan to implement the decision of civil rights in the interest of Jordanian
children and citizens. Fatima Dabbas, President of the Jordanian Association for Human Rights,
presented her research and led a discussion about the reality of women human rights defenders.

Dr. Nizam Assaf, director of the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, concluded the
seminar with a presentation about the organization’s third report on the death penalty to the
Universal Periodic Review. ACHRS has created a new mechanism in its recommendations to
the Jordanian government for gradually abolishing the articles that allow the death penalty to
override the right to life.

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 Reports and Publications

​ “Emancipatory Education in Jordanian Universities (Survey Study)"

​ACHRS published a book entitled “Emancipatory Education in Jordanian Universities (Survey
Study)" with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation / Regional Office in Palestine. The
book includes an analytical study of the results of a questionnaire on emancipatory
education in Jordanian universities​, in which 400 professors and students from various
Jordanian universities participated. A research team including Dr. Nizam Assaf, researcher Riad
Sabah, and researcher Samar Maknay prepared the study. The book included in-depth interviews
with 25 academic and social personalities. The book also included annexes, including the
Amman Declaration on Academic Freedoms, the Independence of Institutions of Higher
Education and Scientific Research, as well as the names of the participants in the round table and
the two discussion panels of 45 academic personalities.

“Women deprived of liberty: the case of Jordan”

​In October 2018, ACHRS published a ​Report for the ​UN Working Group for Discrimination
Against Women. ​The report ​addresses the discrimination against women in law and practice,
and the legal gaps in the Jordanian Penal and Civil Code, which prevent women from being
protected by the law. It takes a comprehensive approach to the issue by including various forms
of restriction or interference with women’s personal liberty or movement by state and non-state
actors, including on the basis of their sex and prescribed gender roles. The report focused on two
main categories of women who are often deprived of their liberty: women fleeing the domestic
threads of honor killings and migrant workers. ​It examines the causes, nature and extent of
the deprivation of liberty of women and girls.

“The negative effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human right and

fundamental freedom: the case of Jordan”
In November 2018, ACHRS published a ​Report for the ​UN Working Group for Promoting
and Protecting Human Rights and the Rule of Law While Countering Terrorism​. The
report investigates in what extent the Jordan government ensures that any measures taken to
counter terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law. Different violation
have been encountered, perpetrated, in particular, by the General Intelligence Directorate (GID)
and the State Security Court (SSC). The report includes a set of recommendations to improve the
judiciary and criminal justice system, and assure that the intelligence services act following
international and humanitarian law.

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