The *FREE ARAB VOICE*
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000

An Action Alert from friends in the U.S. and Europe, complete
with addresses and phone numbers were protests can be directed.

Ibrahim Alloush

Dear friends,

While today, 10 December, people around the world mark the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, continuing the struggle for social justice is
as crucial as ever.

In an attempt to quell solidarity protests with the Aqsa Intifida, a number
of Arab governments, including those of Egypt, Jordan and Syria, have placed
severe restrictions on the freedom of expression and association of their
citizens.  In particular, the Jordanian government has introduced and
applied measures that are in direct violation of its constitution and human
rights conventions to which it is a signatory. It has arrested and continues
to persecute many of its citizens.

BACKGROUND

In direct violation of article 15 of the Jordanian Constitution and various
human rights conventions to which it is a signatory, the Jordanian
government announced that all solidarity demonstrations and marches were
suspended.  Jordanian security forces have also proceeded to detain and
persecute Jordanian citizens deemed to be involved in the demonstrations.

Violence by Jordanian security forces was used in the dispersal of
demonstrations in front of Jordan University on  October 4, in al Rabiyeh
(near the Israeli Embassy) on 6 and 13 October, during the Right to Return
March on 24 October, and in the refugee camp of al Baqa'a. In this refugee
camp, security forces used live bullets resulting in the death of one
Palestinian refugee and injury of many others.

Demonstrators were typically drowned in tear gas, then overwhelmed with
armored vehicles.  Anti-riot troops used clubs and physical force to strike
down demonstrators including women and children. Many demonstrators were
arrested, maltreated, threatened, beaten, and then released.

However, not all of those arrested were released. Dozens were kept in
custody for weeks. They were then submitted to the Court of State Security
charged with instigating riots, violating the law that forbids citizens from
taking the King's name in vain, and destruction of property. These actions
by the Jordanian government were meant to serve as example and threat to
potential demonstrators.

In the meantime, further arrests, interrogations, and persecution of
Jordanian citizens charged to be involved in the October demonstrations
continued.

On 14 November, the Prisoners Committee, a subcommittee of the Popular
Committees for the Support of the Aqsa Intifada and the Protection of
Jordan, called for a sit-in before the Prime Minister's office to demand
the release of those arrested in the demonstrations and an immediate
cessation of arrests and the persecution of activists and citizens. The
sit-in was banned by force. The few dozen who took part in it anyway were
forcibly disbanded and arrested.

Among those arrested were Dr. Riyad Nawayseh, former member of parliament,
Khaled Ramadan, Kinda Hattar, Dr. Aida Dabbas, Abeer Dabbas, Mouwaffaq
Mahadeen, Saad Abadi, Dr. Ibrahim Alloush, Dr. Hisham Bustani, Shadi
Mdanaat, Muhammad Abu Rahmeh, Jihad Abu Falah, and Khaled Odwan.

On 3 December, Khaled Odwan received an official call from members of the
Jordanian General Intelligence to come for a talk the following morning at
the central headquarters of General Intelligence. He left his home on 4
December and until today he hasn't returned back.

Security forces entered his home on 5 December, searched the place and went
away with a number of books and papers. Complaints have already been filed
with the Arab Organization for Human Rights.

On 9 December, Issam Adnan was rearrested from his home and still did not
return. He was called in for questioning. Since he refused the security
forces came to his home and arrested him.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please write a letter to demand the release of Khaled Odwan, and to protest
the wave of persecution against Jordanian citizens and activists thought to
be involved in demonstrations in support of the Intifada. Everyday people
are arrested or called in for questioning. There are many more arrested than
the ones we do know about.

Call on the Jordanian government to lift any restriction on its citizens
and in particular Palestinian refugees from showing their support and
solidarity with the Palestinian people, in particular those who are
currently struggling to end the occupation, oppression and discrimination;

Call on the Jordanian government to immediate release citizens recently
detained, in particular, Khaled Odwan, for expressing their solidarity with
the Palestinian people. This action violates basic human rights, in
particular, the freedom of opinion and expression (art. 19 UDHR, ICCPR);
the freedom of movement (art. 13 UDHR, art. 12 ICCPR), the freedom from
torture and degrading treatment (art. 5 UDHR, art. 7 ICCPR), and the
protection against arbitrary detention (art. 9 UDHR, ICCPR).

1) Write to the Jordanian embassy in the country of your residence and to
the Jordanian government directly. Copy your messages to
free_khaled@usa.net

To find the address of the Jordanian embassy in your country, check
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/jordan.htm

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Washington, D.C.
3504 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 966 2664
Fax: (202) 966 3110

Email: HKJEmbassyDC@aol.com
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
London, United Kingdom
6 Upper Phillimore Gardens,
London, W8 7HB
Tel: 0207 937 3685
Fax: 0207 937 8795
Email: jib@jordan-information-bureau.org.uk

Jordan Representative to the United Nations
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 552
New York, N.Y. 10017
Tel: (212) 752-0135, 0136
Fax: (212) 826-0830
Email: jordan@un.int

Jordanian General Intelligence Department
P.O.Box (1980) - Amman
Tel. 5865131
Email: gid@amra.nic.gov.jo
Web: http://www.gid.gov.jo/

In solidarity,

Arjan El Fassed (Netherlands)
Zahi Damuni (USA)
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