Authorities in Jordan are using a Cybercrimes law to suppress online criticism of government policies and practices in contravention of international human rights law, Amnesty International stated on Tuesday.
Despite widespread concerns, the Cybercrimes Law 2015 was revised on August 13, 2023, by Cybercrime Law No. 173 to bring sweeping changes to the scope of offences and state prosecution powers. Amnesty International was especially critical of the law’s ambiguous drafting, which leveraged harsh penalties for offenses such as “spreading fake news,” “provoking strife,” “threatening societal peace,” and “contempt for religions”.
Out of the 15 cases Amnesty International documented, that path to prosecution was marred by human rights violations. According to Amnesty International, after criticizing authorities online, defendants were arrested without a warrant or explanation and subjected to intimidation without access to a lawyer. Prosecutors relied on Articles 15 and 17 were relied on in all of those documented prosecutions.
Article 15 criminalizes online publication or sharing of information including “fake news targeting the national security and community peace” or information that “defames or insults an individual”. Conviction results in a minimum three-month sentence and and/or a fine ranging between $7,000 and $28,200. A personal complaint against an individual is not a prerequisite for prosecution.
Article 17 criminalizes online expression that would “provoke strife or sedition, threaten societal peace, incite hatred, calls for or justifies violence, or insults religions”. A conviction results in a one-to-three-year sentence and/or a fine ranging between $7,000 and $28,200.
According to the statement, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists in the last year have been charged “for social media posts that merely criticized the authorities, expressed pro-Palestinian sentiment, criticized Jordan’s peace deal with Israel, or called for peaceful protests and strikes.”
Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Aya Majzoub, levied the following criticism:
Under the pretext of protecting the digital space, Jordanian authorities have escalated their blatant assault on the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in the country, using overly broad provisions. They have particularly targeted recent pro-Palestine activism and criticism of government policies towards Israel. This sweeping crackdown has stifled the already small space for dissent in Jordan and created an environment of self-censorship.
In June, journalist Hiba Abu Tahu was convicted for expressing views online that Jordan was involved in genocide in Gaza by allowing companies to transport goods to Israel. In July, lawyer and activist Moutaz Awwad was convicted for criticizing the policies of Arab countries towards Israel.
Majzoub called on the authorities to repeal or amend the law in a way consistent with international human rights obligations. In addition, Majzoub called for the authorities to drop all illegitimate charges.
