June 1, 2007

Shame in King Abdullah II House

By Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Muala

In his recent book, Lee Iacacco cites a quote from Winston Churchill, "The longer you look back, the farther you can look forward." The Hashemite regime in Jordan ignores historical precedence. A few days ago, the absolute monarchy in Jordan has marked 61 years of undemocratic monopoly of power, during which its main concern has been to centralize politics and pave the way to strengthen the executive power (the king), so that a tiny technocratic elite, working hand-in-hand with a political segment of the draconian security forces, would impose an authoritarian vision on the whole of Jordan society. They have achieved success at a heavy price!

With the repression of the press and judiciary growing day after day, with the absence of any effective political parties, with a bribed Parliament, and with the added monopoly of the press, radio and television stations at the behest of King Abdullah II, the morphology of the civil society, of which all the above institutions are crucial pillars, has a disturbing meaning in the country.

For a desperately poor country, Jordan’s current leadership has proved weak and untrustworthy. King Abdullah II’s local and foreign policies have had a deeply damaging structural impact on Jordanians. The royal family in Jordan has lost its moorings. The royal family rings hollow. The royal family is self-serving. Leaders restore moorings. And King Abdullah II, a man deeply unmoored, is precisely not the man to introduce genuine democracy in Jordan or revitalize peace and lead Jordan and its citizens in the Middle East and on the world stage.

In a significant sense, what we are seeing and observing in Jordan these days is the history of massive corruption and lax management, a travesty of justice, press-monarchy conflict, ghastly threats toward opponents of the absolute monarchical regime, a tangled and defunct economy, endless abuse of people’s basic rights, such as freedom of expression, and abject poverty inflicted on the diminishing middle class and urban and rural working people. The outcome: A countless number of evil terrorists like Abu Musab Zarqawi and his associates (e.g., Al-Maqdsi, Abu Trab, Al-Bana, Al-Jarrar, Saqallah and Al-Smmadi) has been planted in Jordan and exported to the world via the daily actions of the corrupt Hashemite regime in Amman. The solution: Constitutional changes so that Jordanians can govern themselves by electing their own government, Senate and Supreme Court judges. Freedom, proactive and elected leadership, peaceful coexistence and a sustained economy represent major parts of the solution to fight evil terrorism in the Middle East and beyond!

One of the many weaknesses of King Abdullah II is his lack of effective communication, a key leadership skill in the 21^st century. Commanding the native language of a country is a very important skill for the proactive and successful leaders of that country. In fact, it is a key tool for those leaders to communicate with their followers and the people in the street. King Abdullah II lacks this important communication skill and tool. This embarrassing shortcoming has been evident at key Arabic events as well. In the recent Arab Summit held in Sudan, the king delegated Faisal Al-Fayez, the former appointed and corrupt Prime Minister, to deliver his Arabic speech. In Saudi Arabia, a few days ago, King Abdullah II did not give a speech. Instead, his staff circulated the excerpt of his speech to the press. In his visits to Jordanian cities and villages, King Abdullah II does not speak much in Arabic, but relies very heavily on his staff to jot down what people say to him so his wife Queen Rania can translate these notes to Arabic for the king, later in the evening or the next day, according to reliable sources at the royal court. And when he speaks in Arabic, people laugh at him! A few months ago, King Abdullah II said in a very funny Arabic accent, on national TV, “Kel wahid be saker tmoh” (everyone must shut up). People across Jordan laughed and have been very upset and shaking their heads that their unaccountable and unelected king cannot speak their own language! Also, King Abdullah II has never shown up before local and regional Arabic speaking press conferences in order to avoid embarrassment due to his heavy Arabic accent and any situation where he might run out of Arabic vocabulary and not understand the questions voiced in Arabic. The same reliable sources informed JNM that when an Arabic-based newspaper asks to interview King Abdullah II, the royal court staff asks for the questions in advance, prepares the text of answers and insists that the interview is set up as a photo opportunity that is focused on very informal, unrecorded conversation. Yes, in our own country, Jordan, we have an Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) King!

The domestic audience and international community are watching! Note the following salient statements: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/jordan15973.htm issued by Human Rights Watch in New York on May 22, 2007, the important chapter in the U.S. State Department’s 2006 human rights report: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/State of Human Rights in Jordan--Report 1.doc, the stunning report: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cp76_choucair_final.pdf) contemplated by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC, in December, 2006, the comprehensive reports: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=2442&l=1 issued on November 23, 2005 and February 19, 2003 respectively, by the International Crisis Group’s (Crisis Group), several scientific polls and surveys: http://www.css-jordan.org/polls/index.html conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan, the stunning 38-page report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_6313000/6313195.stm) (Arabic news story) published by Manfred Novak, the United Nations Human Rights Commission's Special Rapporteur on Torture, on Tuesday, January   30, 2007, and the recent statement: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22118 released by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), condemning the arrest of Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi, former Member of Parliament and the author of 57 books. All point to one key fact that King Abdullah of Jordan has done nothing less than silence all public dissent. Most of this was done, no doubt, to keep control of his absolute monarchy in choppy political waters and to show American and European critics that he does not shrink from sticking a finger in his own eyes.

In a speech, delivered on Thursday, May 24, 2007, King Abdullah II stated, “For our democratic march, we are very much concerned that it must take deep roots…we must reactivate the role of civil society, respect the principal of pluralism, in the frame of national unity that must become intact, above all differences…pluralism and diversity are the streams that foster this march and allow the citizens the freedom to choose and express themselves…”

When asked about the current Parliamentarian elections law, a very unfair and controversial piece of legislation, criticized by many domestic and international observers and experts on national elections, King Abdullah II reported in Al-Arab Al-Yawm Newspaper, on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, that “the government decided not to change the current Parliamentarian elections law,” which is a fabricated response designed to mislead the public and international community since the government in Jordan is appointed directly by the king.

On Thursday, May 31, 2007, King Abdullah II visited the Abbad tribe in the city of Eira. According to independent dignitaries and educated leaders in this tribe, the visit was arranged by King’s Adviser for Tribal Affairs, Sharif Fawaz Zaben Abdullah, and dozens of loyalists to the absolute monarchy in this tribe. Hundreds of intellectuals and representatives in the Abbad tribe declined to attend, stressing that this absurd visit was arranged to show the people and foreign diplomats in Amman that King Abdullah II still enjoys the support of Abbad tribe despite his decision to imprison one of their leaders, Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi, former Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Jordan National Movement (JNM). Dr. Al-Abbadi has been in jail since Wednesday, May 2, 2007 for speaking up against corruption and human rights abuses in the country.  

Now, who is the bluffer? Who is behind of all of the massive corruption, lawlessness, human rights abuses, abject poverty, and bribery and force of members of parliament to enact laws that support the ailing monarchy in Amman and curbing people’s freedom of expression and association? Who is appointing these consecutive corrupt governments, cruel senior intelligence officers, self-promoting senators and bribed judges? Who is conducting the people’s business and managing the ruined infrastructure of health, education and transportation sectors? Who is calling for the charges and arrest warrants against peace and human rights activists who are being targeted solely for exercising their rights to speak up and speak out against failures of the judiciary system and human rights abuses, thereby challenging the dominant power structures of the Hashemite regime? And, who is the unelected and unaccountable monarch who does not pay tax and refuses to open his books and unfold the annual budget of his corrupt house, the royal court, and members of the Hashemite royal family?

The answer is very obvious: our illustrious King Abdullah II. No single change in the political, economic, legislative and/or social arenas takes place and shapes in the country without the blessing and direct involvement of King Abdullah II and his intelligence community!

Americans must be true to themselves. For any action on King Abdullah II’s cruelties that the U.S. authorities describe as unwarranted interference, it would be foolish of Americans not to expect to pay a price. Tyranny breeds terrorism and violence. We have all been witnessing the massacres and daily killings of innocent people on the streets of Baghdad and other parts of new Iraq. Where are most of these evil terrorists coming from? Certainly, based on news and intelligence reports, most of these suicide bombers and killers are made in Iraq and neighboring countries, such as Jordan. We must recall and never forget what the dead rat, Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi, did in the cities and villages of new Iraq. Zarqawi was made in Jordan!

On the other hand, the Jordan National Movement (JNM) calls for national unity against the corrupt regime of King Abdullah II. JNM is for all Jordanians, including our brothers and sisters, the large Palestinian-Jordanian community in Jordan. We stand for their rights in Jordan as much as we do for the rest of the population. We fully understand that they are misrepresented in the unelected government, security forces and army, and oppressed politically and economically. And this is one of the reasons that we, ALL Jordanians, regardless of origin and nationality, must work side by side and shoulder to shoulder against the corrupt cliques and henchmen of the Hashemite regime in Amman. This regime has not been elected nor selected via legitimate channels to govern the people of Jordan. As long as this absolute monarchical refuses to share power and listen to the legitimate demands of the Jordanian people (http://www.css-jordan.org/polls/index.html), we must work relentlessly and peacefully with the other concerned countries and organizations to impart genuine, democratic and peaceful change in Amman.

The Hashemite regime in Amman must be confronted by a reasonable choice between suffering penalties for its absolute authoritarian ways and opening up political space for internal challenge. The democratic deficit in Jordan will not be overcome without the help of the United States and those democratic countries that have short and long-term interests in its stability and security. Constitutional amendments are vital to introduce viable political changes to our homeland. The current absolute monarchical regime in Jordan must be replaced by a constitutional monarchical system of governance. The outcome of making these necessary changes could be a beacon of hope in creating lasting peace, economic prosperity, justice, local and regional security, not only in Jordan, but also in the entire Arab and Muslim worlds.

A new constitution, a popular government, and an independent justice system in Jordan would be the hallmark of constructive change in Amman. The present constitution is very ancient and extremely ineffective. The current and previous unelected governments have proved to be totalitarian, despotic, impartial and corrupt.  The will of the people of Jordan must prevail. The people’s loyalty and allegiance must be directed toward Jordan and its people. In the new world order, full freedom goes hand-in-hand with economic and political reforms, information technology, peace and security. Thus, these important issues must be planned for in the form of short and long-term strategies to bring ongoing prosperity to our homeland and its citizenry.

The Jordan National Movement (JNM) will proceed to assist in accomplishing this visionary plan with full responsibility and vigor. These political reforms, of course, will not take place without direct support from the people of Jordan and their friends in the United States. We must march together toward fairness and the rule of law in our homeland. Again, the dividends of this plan will be reaped and shared by all citizens in the Middle East region.

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1

From :lh225@georgetown.edu
Sent : Sunday, May 7, 2006 6:07 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Leila(Georgetown University student)-article

My name is Leila Hanafi and I am a Moroccan student at Georgetown University in Washington DC. We organized an event last Friday at Georgetown University on Women and Development in Morocco at Georgetown University. Please let me know if you could post my article?

The distinguished panel included His Excellency Moroccan Ambassador Mekouar, William Jordan, Maghreb Affairs Director at the State Department, and Melissa Rugiero from the United Nations Developmen Fund for Women (UNIFEM) .

The event also featured an art exhibition by renowned artist Helen Zughaib who provided an extraordinary overview of the work Arab women artists are producing.

Please find attached my article.

Many thanks and regards,

Leila Hanafi

Women and Development in the Middle East and North Africa:
Achievements and Challenges
A Case Study of Morocco

By

Leila Hanafi
Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.

In the United Nations Arab Human Development Reports, gender inequality was identified as one of the main obstacles to development in the Arab Region. Gender inequality is a root cause of Arab underdevelopment; it is essential for improving economic growth, and reducing poverty. Tackling this deficit is a pre-requisite for moving forward. A stimulating discussion focused on this issue at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Themed Women and Development, “Their Challenges and Achievements - A Case Study of Morocco,” the discussion focused on women’s development in the Middle East and North Africa and featured a distinguished panel of experts that included: His Excellency the Moroccan Ambassador Mr. Mekouar, State Department Director of Maghreb Affairs - Mr. William Jordan, UN Development Fund For Women representative - Mrs Melissa Rugiero, and Dr. Loubna Hanna – Moroccan professor at American University, School of International Service.

The event was organized by several Georgetown student groups lead by Leila Hanafi – “whose opening remarks raised the issue of the importance of having women themselves play a role in regional Arab development.” In conjunction, she explained why gender equality is relatively important towards achieving nearly all of the Millennium Development Goals – (the global development framework adopted by the United Nations in 2000 for improving world standards of living through poverty reduction).


The discussion focused on Morocco, a case-model country that could be used to inspire other nations in the Arab world to embark on women’s development and achievement through the Millennium Goals framework.

Opening the presentation, Morrocan Ambassador Aziz Mekouar outlined Morocco’s ever-present character as the known liberal and non-confrontational face of Islam. Describing Morocco’s King Mohamed VI’s reforms, the ambassador showed how such reforms were major breakthroughs in the long struggle for equal rights of Moroccan women. The impact of these reforms in Morocco had far-reaching implications – “and could have major effects in the Muslim and Arab world as a whole.”
Following the Ambassador’s presentation, UNIFEM representative - Melissa Rugierio, described that organization’s activities to promote gender equality and achievement through the MDGs in Morocco. Ms. Rugiero noted the importance of gender issues as central to UNIFEM’s goals of creating a world where women live free from poverty, violence, and inequality.
In succession, William Jordan – “Director of Maghreb Affairs” at the US State Department, highlighted Morocco’s reforms, and stressed that “these reforms can help unleash the full potential of all citizens and add to the prosperity and stability of Morocco and the region.” He then described three focus areas of US government activities in Morocco and the Arab world: supporting local NGOs and women’s rights groups in their effort to achieve full participation for women in civil and political society; providing women with the skills and tools required to help build strong judicial institutions, and provide access to opportunities for women in efforts to gain economic independence – “increasing their power in the private sector towards building democratic societies.”

Presiding after Mr. William Jordan, Dr. Loubna Hanna, a distinguished professor at American University School of International Service, reiterated the importance of gender issues to development by pointing out that gender equality is not only for the sake of women - it is really a by-gender issue: “the welfare of society relies increasingly on a country's quality of human resources, and women remain a largely untapped resource.” Dr. Hanna crystallized this and the fact that women in general have a strong potential to bring about change. In her analysis, she stated that promoting gender equality is a smart economic decision, and a realistic response to the challenges of globalization. Dr. Hanna went on to say that “excluding women is to exclude serious human capital.” Therefore, gender issues need to be viewed as central in policy design and implementation: “we need to focus our efforts towards promoting gender equality and empowering women with the firm understanding that these issues are principal elements of the developmental process,” she stated. Dr. Hanna concluded by emphasizing the role of civil society and building partnerships to promote gender equality.
Such ideals were in the mind of Georgetown student organizer Leila Hanafi: “we wanted to bring together this panel for just such a reason,” stated Leila. “Discussions of these kinds begin the dialogue that is essential to bringing about change as women in Morocco and the Arab world redefine their roles, and forge new pathways of participation and leadership,” she went on to say.
Morocco has made steady and significant progress in elaborating and implementing democratization and good governance reforms due in great part to the civil society that has developed and matured rapidly in Morocco – “especially with respect to women’s associations.” The quick pace of reforms and the emergence of new actors at various levels have resulted in strong opportunities to strengthen and broaden women’s rights. With these reforms, Morocco has set itself on a path to become a modern democratic society, and has become the leading model for both women’s development and progressive reforms in the Arab world.

The event also featured sights and sounds of Morocco, a nourishing taste of Moroccan cuisine, and art exhibition by renowned artist Helen Zughaib who provided an extraordinary overview of the work Arab women artists are producing.

###

Special Note:
This remarkable and unprecedented event was presented by the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area-Human Rights and International Law Committee, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Academic Council, and the Embassy of Morocco.

As human rights group Amnesty International launches a global campaign to try to halt censorship of the internet by governments, BBC correspondents report from some countries where web users face difficulties.

CHINA: RUPERT WINGFIELD-HAYES, BEIJING
Officially China does not censor the internet. According to the Chinese government, its internet regulation is no different from that in America, Britain, or anywhere else in the world.


In its quest to control the internet China has sought overseas help

China says it only blocks internet sites that are damaging, such as pornographic sites, or ones promoting things like terrorism.

The reality of China's internet is very different.

Just try logging on to the BBC News website from an internet cafe in China. You can't. The same goes for websites for The New York Times, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and a host of others which could hardly be described as pornographic or "dangerous".

China probably has the most sophisticated internet monitoring and censorship system in the world. In the last few years it has spent tens of millions of dollars building what has come to be known as the "Great Firewall of China". In the past, whole websites were blocked. Today the system can block out individual parts of websites.

In its quest to control the internet China has sought help from overseas. Some large, US-based computer software companies are believed to have sold Beijing the sophisticated software needed to run its filtering system. Companies like Google and Yahoo! have also been accused of co-operating in China's internet censorship.

Google, for example, has modified its Chinese language search engine so that it does not show results for sites the Chinese government deems "harmful".

Inside China there is an even larger effort to control the country's own internet.

Internet service providers (ISPs) are required by law to monitor their own websites and chat-rooms for "dangerous content". Every ISP in China has its own staff of "web police". On top of that government employs thousands more who constantly scan the Chinese web, closing down any site or blog that is considered subversive.

For those Chinese who persist in using the internet to criticize Communist party rule, the end result can be a prison cell. Three young men were recently sentenced to prison terms of eight to ten years for using the internet to send "sensitive" information to foreign based websites.


CUBA: STEPHEN GIBBS, HAVANA
Cuba has vowed to be a force to be reckoned with in the digital era.

Thousands of Cubans are being trained in a new school for computer technology on the outskirts of Havana. Free computer clubs have been set up across the country. Even the smallest rural schools are being provided with their own terminals.


Cuba's licensed internet terminals are meant only for tourists

But at the same time the government is working hard to prevent its citizens from surfing the net without restraint. Shops in Havana might appear to sell high-quality computers, but actually making a purchase is impossible for Cubans without special approval, which is rarely granted.

Similar restrictions are in place for anyone who might want to open up an account with the state internet service provider. Exceptions include senior government officials, academic researchers, and foreigners.

The authorities say these regulations are in place in order to ensure the internet in Cuba is used for "social and collective use."

'Prioritising'

Although all Cuban media is rigorously state controlled, the government rejects accusations that it is censoring the net.

It concedes that some sites are blocked, but say these are "terrorist, xenophobic, or pornographic". Websites based in the US which publish articles by dissidents from within Cuba are generally inaccessible.

The government says that what it is doing is "prioritising" the internet, for use by sectors such as education and health. Essential, it says, given Cuba's limited resources, and limited bandwidth.

The bandwidth problem is blamed on the United States. As a result of the US trade embargo, Cuba cannot link up to the web via a direct fibre optic line. Instead it has to use more expensive satellite links.

Thousands of Cubans get around their governments restrictions and access the internet via the black market. User IDs and passwords are sold by state employees whose jobs give them legal access. Some log on via home made computers built from smuggled parts.

A legal alternative is to go to one of the cyber cafes that are being set up across the country. But these have another barrier - cost. Half an hour surfing the web costs around $3. That might be comparable to the price in other parts of the world, but in Cuba, where the average salary is $15 a month, it is substantial.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: JULIA WHEELER, DUBAI
In the United Arab Emirates, internet censorship centres on two distinct areas; pornography and the criticism of Gulf governments. While the majority of the multi-national population welcomes the blocking of pornography sites, the same cannot be said for the more politically motivated cases.

The UAE is one of the fastest developing countries in the world

From the UAE, attempting to access sites like www.uaeprison.com or www.arabtimes.com (published in the United States) brings up an apology for the site being blocked and an explanation; it is "due to its content being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates."

It is not clear how the monopoly internet provider, Etisilat, determines what contravenes the country's values. There is a right of reply on any blocked site message though, allowing surfers to suggest it be made accessible.

For many, the censorship of sites which question, discuss or oppose the ruling families of the Gulf states and their absolute power, is anachronistic. The UAE is one of the fastest developing countries in the world, but this development is far more economic than political.

Satirical blogs, parodying the city and its residents, such as secretdubai.blogspot.com, www.dubaienquirer.com and onebigconstructionsite.blogspot.com can be found.

Internet users in Dubai's commercial free zones - like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village - are able to sidestep the strict state censorship by using a different proxy. The more technically savvy users in other parts of the country are also finding ways to access the banned sites they want to view.

In March, there were reports internet cafe users could have their personal details recorded and kept on file. The explanation from the authorities was that this was to curb "cyber crime" including hacking and sending spam emails, but it has brought into focus questions of personal privacy.

The opening-up of the telecoms sector which is due to allow another state-run company, Du, to operate from later this year is unlikely to change the position on blocked sites.

Perhaps one of the biggest annoyances for the mostly expatriate population in the Emirates is the inaccessibility of internet telephony sites like www.skype.com. This is widely seen as economic censorship; the state wanting to ensure continuing large profits through migrant workers making international telephone calls.

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SEE ALSO:
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***

From :almala@att.net
Sent : Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:16 PM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : State of Human Rights in Jordan: Report (1)
 

Jordan National Movement
Amman, Jordan
http://www.jnm.jeeran.com (Under Construction)

Mission Statement: An authentic, independent Jordanian organization seeks to promote democracy, human rights, and political, economic and social reforms, and national strategic issues in Jordan, and constructive and peaceful dialogue to settle current and future conflicts in the Middle East region

Human Rights Report (1)

August 31, 2006


For Further Info. Contact:

Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi (Chairman), Former Member of Parliament (Two Terms) Amman-Jordan, at 00962 777 419 545, oweidi2005@yahoo.com, &

Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mualla (Secretary of Foreign Affairs), Dean & College Professor, in the U.S. at (703) 629-5427, almala@att.net.

State of Human Rights in Jordan: Report (1)

New York-based Human Rights Watch reported on June 17, 2006 that the Jordanian regime “must not roll back on its commitment to fully respect freedom of expression…rather than implement the reforms it promised…the [unelected] government of Prime Minister Ma’ruf al-Bakhit is giving the intelligence agencies, the police and prosecutors free rein to clamp down on legitimate speech.” For instance, the leadership and countless members of Jordan National Movement (JNM) are being threatened and harassed on a daily basis by the omni-present officers of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID). According to a recent major report, Jordan's 9/11: Dealing With Jihadi Islamism, prepared and delivered by the independent International Crisis Group (ICG), the (GID) has “carved out a critical role (since 1999) and, according to one analyst, "regional developments over the past few years have only helped entrench the Mukhabarat's (GID) role in politics and society." Further, the same report emphasized that “the [Jordanian] media, while free in theory, consistently exercises a degree of self censorship that reflects keen awareness of its limits, encouraged by occasional arrests or threatening phone calls.”

On March 8, 2006, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the U.S. State Department, issued a report stating that “although the [Jordanian] government respected human rights in some areas, its overall record continued to reflect problems.” Among these major human rights problems: “restrictions on the right of citizens to change their government, allegations of torture, continued police abuse and reported mistreatment of detainees, arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention, instances of impunity, denial of due process of law, limited judicial independence, infringement on citizens' privacy rights, harassment of members of opposition political parties, restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, movement, and on some religious practices, legal and societal discrimination against women, ‘honor’ crimes, child abuse, discrimination against (Jordanians of all origins), restrictions on labor rights and abuse of foreign domestic workers.”

Torturing prisoners to death continues to occur in Jordan. For instance, a gruesome crime took place at Al-Jafer prison on Saturday, August 12, 2006. The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), Jordan Branch, reported on Monday, August 14, 2006 that the inmate, Mr. Mwafq Abdul Aziz Odeh Taha, was beaten to death by prison security guards and found dead at Al-Jafer’s horrible prison. He was serving an unknown sentence for non-criminal charges. Al-Jafer is located 270 km in the isolated and extremely hot southern desert, very far away from prisoners’ families and close relatives. [The prison was built in 1935 and ordered to be reopened by the appointed government in 1998 after the late King Hussein decided to close it down several years ago.] After a recent visit to Al-Jafer, the AOHR noted deep bruises on Taha’s left shoulder and emphasized that he was starved to death. The AOHR described the prison conditions as “absolute and extreme misery” and “over crowded.” The chairwoman of the Complaints Department at the AOHR, Ms. Basma Al-Hassan, stated that prisoners at Al-Jafer have “no access to bathrooms, medical assistance, drinking water and provided with only one piece of rotten cover to sleep on the bear floor.” The AOHR issued a press release stating that 80 percent of the 264 current prisoners at Al-Jafer prison are incarcerated due to traffic (speeding) violations, administrative fractions (violating a city ordinance) and other non-criminal charges. Political prisoners in Al-Jafer, such as Mustafa Arabiat, Fouad Mohammad Zamzam and Ahmed Ibrahim, were imprisoned for speaking up in public against the king and the royal family.

Recently, the GID has been very active in preventing and disallowing political and human rights activists (living inside and outside of the country) from renewing their Jordanian passports, a repugnant practice that is inconsistent with the current constitution and very basic human rights. For instance, an avid writer, Mr. Salah Al-Moomni, living in the U.S., was told by the Jordanian authorities in Amman that he could not renew his passport because of his critical articles of the government. For further information on the most recent violations conducted by the GID, please read this report: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE160052006, prepared by Amnesty International (AI).

Abuses of human rights, travesties of justice, unequal distribution of national resources, political oppression and abject poverty breed indefinite cycles of violence and vicious acts of terrorism. These dimensions of daily hardship are widespread and growing rapidly in Jordan. The current condition in Jordan is unbearable and heading towards a situation worse than what was happening in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s era. The current regime has absolute executive power of a ppointing and dismissing governments, creating illegitimate and rubber stamp parliaments by picking and firing senior judges, senators and high-ranking advisers. These ongoing circumstances are creating potential junior and senior terrorists who would have nothing but hate towards those countries that support absolute monarchical regimes in the Arab world.

The U.S., Europe and the civil world have to face this reality: either ease the pressure and discontinue supporting absolute monarchical regimes in the Middle East region, or face a countless number of angry people. Those oppressed and freedom-loving people will turn to violence and terrorism and do everything at their disposal to vent out their immense anger at the U.S. and other countries that support these cruel r ogue regimes.

Hence, the Jordan National Movement (JNM) urges all democratic countries, worldwide free societies and international civil institutions to take bold, practical and courageous measures against the current corrupt absolute monarchical system in Jordan. We need to work together to curb this regime’s double-faced local and foreign policies that have deceived the global civilized community regarding its daily dictatorial activities against the people of Jordan. We must work hand-in-hand to defeat growing terrorism in the Arab world: peacefully and democratically!

Cc:

President George W. Bush, U.S.A.
President Vladimir Putin, Russia
President Hu Jintao, the People's Republic of China
President Jacques Chirac, France
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany
Prime Minister José Luis Rodrيguez Zapatero, Spain
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japan
Senator Hilary Clinton, U.S. Senate
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
Dr. Condoleeza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State
Steve Hadley, US National Security Adviser
Klaus Schwab, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Members of U.S. Congress
European Union, Delegation of the European Commission to the United States
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Transparency International
U.S. and Worldwide Human Rights Organizations and Political Institutions
U.S. and Jordanian Press and Media

From : ikram omar <ikramomar@hotmail.co.uk>
Sent : Tuesday, September 12, 2006 8:51 PM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Read this motherfuker

DR>OSAMA FAWZI

After reading the what you wrote in this article, I know why you created this website. I used to think you are the only Arab person who write what he thinks is right but clearly you are sucking America's ass simply because you live their. So my thoughts that you are righting with no control over your fucking hand, was wrong you idiot. So my advice would be your motherfucker to go back to your country Plantain and fight the Jews instead of you seating in that fucking office and writing bullshits.
For now fuck off you fucking Arab bastard

From : hamudisayel@yahoo.com
Sent : Wednesday, September 13, 2006 5:44 PM
To : ikramomar@hotmail.co.uk
CC : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Double-read this asshole

Ikram,

I don’t know where the hell you come from, but I am sure you are not British. You're English language sucks and you can't spell worth of shit.

To make this short and to the point:

If you don't like Dr. Fawzi, you can stop reading his paper or never visit his website. But to ask him to go back to his country because "he sucks america's ass" is stupid on your behalf. Why the hell are you in Britain then since the U.K is the biggest supporter of America?

At Least Dr. Fawzi criticizes the American government when it does wrong. Your stupid ass lives in Britain and "hates" the hand that feeds it. You are the type of person who lives in the West and hates everything about it. If you hate America that much, you should get out of Britain since it's America's puppet. Go back to Pakistan or wherever your mother shit you and try to open your mouth there and let's see for how long you would be alive.

And before you badmouth the Arab nation, make sure you come from a better background. Half of your country is probably CIA agents.

From :asad_2006_79@yahoo.com
Sent : Wednesday, September 13, 2006 4:06 PM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : ikram omar letter

dear arab times :
i know that you always say the readers have the right for there opinion, but please please please, can you correct the spelling for that guy ikram omar from U.K before you publish it? very bad english sounds like a taco bell employee in his english ,and he is an arab but calling the arabs names like you fucking arab bastard, i bet money he is not even legal in U.K they will catch him soon and ship him back to amman to sell viggies there and cry

yours
asad
indianapolis,indiana



From : Yaser Kailani <yaserkailani@hotmail.com>
Sent : Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:10 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
CC : ikramomar@hotmail.co.uk
Subject : Tributs to Arabtime and MR.Fawzy


It is not surprising me to hear that kind of insults for some one really I pay him all my respects and tributes.
MR. Fawzy.
I knew that in this darkness time of our Arabs nation wich is the slaying for this nation is currently occurred, and imminent every things will be done because such people like our governments and Ikram Omar, wich I believe that he is even doesn’t deserve to be carry those integrity, honesty, and dignity names.
But before I go I want to say final words that the Arabs nations if it doesn’t saved by Allah and some persons have been chosen by Allah to defence this nation such you MR. Fawzy, really it is will be the end.

From : CIVICRACER1188@aol.com
Sent : Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:07 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : your newspaper


Hi,

I just want to say that I am one of your daily readers, and I really like the way you write, especially the words you use. Briefly I want to say it in my arabic language:

"tadaouna al nokat ala al horouf", always. Keep it this way and God bless you.

Finally I want to apologize for writing in English, as I don't have arabic keyboard.

Thank you.

Mona - Boston

From : walking_hormone@hotmail.com
Sent : Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:07 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
CC : ikramomar@hotmail.co.uk
Subject : In response to the email by Ikram Omar


As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu

I just wanted to express my deepest sorrow about the comments by Mr. Ikram Omar. I don't know about his origin but his verbal belligerence has brought shame to his country, his religion (if applicable) and to his parents. Surely, Mr. Omar will jest on this gesture, but your parents have totally wasted their energy and hard earned money on your education, since your control of the language is akin to a blind man driving a car.

Secondly, I want to make this absolutely clear that I am not siding Dr. Osama Fawzi or the Arab nation at all. Infact, the Arab nation is responsible for the differences it has with the rest of the Muslim nation. It hurts to hear this, but this not only an accepted fact, it is also a personal observation.

Coming back to the topic, freedom of speech is a powerful tool, but Mr. Omar, there are many ways to deliver your opinion with decency and due respect that a fellow human being irrespective of his/her caste or creed deserves. Attitude and behaviour of others is reciprocal to your own. If you will sow hatred and abuse, you will get the same, unless it tickles your fancy.

ZJ
Pakistan

From :baatheeb@hotmail.com
Sent : Wednesday, September 20, 2006 2:24 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Thank you for Exposing these evil sheiks

I would like to thank the arabtimes for informing us about the recent development with class action law suit filed against the "evil doers" from the oil states. I cannot express my excitement in words , but readig the article on BBC news web site I was very happy that someone will be held accountable for their inhumane and uncivilized practices of enslavement , abuse and exploitation of childern. Watching the documentary that aired on HBO Real sports program brought me to tears feeling sympathy for these innocent childern and it the same time i felt shame and anger that I share the same race and religion with these evil sheiks who entertain themselves on the pain and suffering of those childern .I hope all major news organization and media in the usa will give this developing story the proper attention and coverage it deserves. I also hope more high profile lawyers will join the team represeting these exploited childern.

Againg thank you arabtimes

I wish you more success

regards Adam

Jordan National Movement

Amman, Jordan

http://www.jnm.jeeran.com Under Construction

October 27, 2006
 

For Further Info. Contact:

Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi (Chairman), Former Member of Parliament (Two Terms) Amman-Jordan, at 00962 777 419 545, oweidi2005@yahoo.com, & Dr.  Abdul Salam Al-Mualla (Secretary of Foreign Affairs), Dean & College Professor, in the U.S. at (703) 629-5427, aalmala@verizon.net.

Dear Madam Secretary:

We are writing you this letter concerning the current political, social and economic developments in Jordan and the recent falsified remarks delivered by King Abdullah in Jordan and abroad. The king says something in the presence of foreign leaders, dignitaries and world press and media, but acts very differently back home. For instance, the king is using international forums, such as World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland, Dead Sea and other international gatherings for merely public image and propaganda to show his western audience and his foreign interlocutors that he is a real democrat believing in democracy and human rights.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a stern, comprehensive and accurate report (http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/09/19/jordan14205.htm) on September 19, 2006 regarding the most recent human rights abuses in Jordan, conducted directly by King Abdullah’s regime and his cruel and Gestapo-like intelligence apparatus. This report reinforces another recent report http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE160052006, issued by Amnesty International (AU) on July 24, 2006.

All of the above reports are very accurate and emphasize the latest facts reported by the Jordanian National Movement (JNM): Abuse of human rights conducted by the current corrupt absolute monarchical system in Jordan is rampant and widespread.

The great majority of Jordanians firmly believe that Jordan is governed by a ruthless clique influencing King Abdullah’s absolute monarchical decisions: his wife Queen Rania, Director of General Intelligence Directorate (GID), Director of King Abdullah Office, several unelected influential senators and bribed journalists, and many members of a rubber stamp parliament who have been elected via unlawful election means, such as “vote buying,” “ballot stuffing,” “ghost voting” and “depressing the vote share of th
e rival candidates” with direct assistance and official involvement of the GID officers.

  According to a former GID officer, who asked to be remain anonymous, told JNM that “before Parliament elections, we summon potential candidates to the GID headquarters in Amman and we tell them that in order to be elected, they (candidates) must not oppose the king and abide later by directions and orders issued privately by the GID.” In the daily newspaper Alarab Alyawm, columnist Mohammad Al-Subaihi, wrote in an article on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, titled “Death Knell to Parliament,” “I sincerely hope that this Parliament goes home unreturned…” Another writer, Sameeh Al-Maitah, stated in an article, published in Al Ghad daily newspaper on Thursday, September 28, 2006,  that the “government owns and dictates the opinions of more than 80 members (70%) of current Parliament.”

As far as the media is concerned, the regime in Jordan displays essential features of an authoritarian media system. All broadcast media are controlled and manipulated by the appointed government and royal court circles. Strict control over Jordan Radio and Television is exercised through the GID, which also oversees print media, and can act against any perceived dissension: incarceration, employment termination and newspaper closure or suspension.

For example, Al Majd weekly newspaper goes under strict monitoring system performed by GID officers before publication every week. The Royal Court communicates its positions on national and international issues directly to executives of the broadcast media thus restricting the overall atmosphere of freedom of expression. For instance, When Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, wrote a very well-balanced article in the Los Angeles Times newspaper on Sunday, October 1, 2006, explaining the current political situation in Jordan, the first reaction from the royal court and GID was placing Mr. Daragahi on the watch list at Jordan’s borders and airports, a similar despicable action that they have also applied to several Jordanian opposition leaders living aboard.

The national and international status of Jordan’s economy, public health and labor rights are sliding backward. In Aqaba Province alone, 1100 cases of “brain paralysis” have been discovered in recent weeks. The Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) puts Jordan at the 45th rank among 117 counties worldwide in the GCR 2006 report. This represents a sharp fall: from the 35th most competitive country in the GCR in 2005 to the 45th in 2006.

Further, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the US National Textile Association (NTA), filed a lawsuit against the appointed and unelected Jordanian government on Thursday, September 21, citing severe workers’ rights violations in the country: “100-hour workweeks, physical abuse, unsafe working conditions, unpaid wages, (and) distorted labor-market conditions globally.” These facts were confirmed by a report aired on Jordanian TV on Monday, October 3, 2006.

 Fahad Al-Khitan, a well-respected journalist, added in an article appeared in the Alarab Alyawm newspaper on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 that “more than 7 thousand workers were forced to live in 3 small buildings located in Al-Ramtha city, which has caused and created absolute miserable conditions and dangerous sanitation issues to those workers and other people living in nearby neighborhoods.”

The GID Director’s dirty hands and spies are everywhere, conducting despicable business on behalf and under the directions and watchful eyes of King Abdullah and members of the royal family. Like the king, the GID Director is above the law and he has absolute authority to detain any person regardless of any legal requirements and ramifications, selecting and endorsing ministers, senators, members of parliament and high ranking officials, interfering in municipal and parliament elections, passport renewals, conducting and practicing wide-range favoritism and terrorizing public employees.

For instance, Salah Al-Momani, an avid Jordanian writer living in the U.S., has been barred from renewing his Jordanian passport due to his calls for basic political reforms in his native homeland of Jordan. Further, upon direct orders from the king, death threats were recently issued by the GID to members of JNM living in Jordan and abroad, due to their constant and effective campaign for genuine constitutional changes in the current corrupt branches of the state.     

It is absolutely shameful and ludicrous to hear Queen Rania, the wife of King Abdullah, stating on Thursday, September 21, 2006, during a conference organized by Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, that the “only way to create a stable and secure world is to address global injustices, specifically in the Arab world,” while she and her husband, King Abdullah, and members of the royal family are standing in the way by not allowing the Jordanian people to elect a representative government! Queen Rania has been playing significant overt and covert political roles in the daily functions of the unelected government. She is interfering, dictating and steering the executive branch of the state. Queen Rania is assuming this unconstitutional role despite opposition from the great majority of Jordanians. She is responsible for promoting corruption and nepotism in the appointed government. While Jordanians live an impoverished life, Queen Rania spends a huge portion of the country’s resources on buying private jets, building new palaces, lavish parties, royal receptions and her very expensive fashions. 

The Hashemite family is in disarray! In an invited presentation held in Amman a few weeks ago, Prince Hassan (the former Crown Prince to the late King Hussein), asked attendees to convey to the Jordanian people that he has disowned himself officially and politically from the current regime of King Abdullah. Jordanians live under a cruel dictatorial regime that refuses dialogue with the opposition (a my way or the highway kind of mentality), imposes its will on the people, uses fear and intimidation by throwing dissidents in jail, changes governments as it pleases, and resorts to bribes to enlist supporters and appoint them in key governmental and royal court positions.

As tax payers, Jordanians are misinformed and blocked from accessing critical information related to the state budget, monetary policies of borrowing from foreign countries and even basic information such as the annual income of members of the royal family.

No one in Jordan, including members of Parliament, knows or is even allowed to discuss the budget of the royal court. King Abdullah lacks command of the Arabic language: speaks Arabic with a heavy accent and has never spoken at or attended an Arabic press conference or delivered a lengthy speech in Arabic.

 Also, the king and members of the royal spend most of their time traveling abroad spending millions of dollars, they do not pay taxes and their annual and source of income are unknown to the public or appointed government. For instance, King Abdullah recently gave each government, military and security agencies employee JD100 ($150), total of $77.5 million, for Ramadan, described by observers as a cheap bribe to silence Jordanians and reduce the heat of resentment that our people feel toward him and his oppressive regime. Jordanians are wondering where he obtained this money from and how much he has in his personal and saving accounts!

JNM stands firm to defend the rights of the people of Jordan to effect change and make genuine and speedy constitutional changes. The royal family in Jordan must understand that we will not relinquish our total commitment to these essential changes and will seek every single diplomatic avenue and peaceful mean to inform the international community of the current and future exacerbating circumstances in our homeland Jordan.

 As stated by Professor Marc Lynch in an article, written by Simon Tisdall on Tuesday November 29, 2005, in the UK-based Guardian Newspaper, “after six years in power, King Abdullah had little to show for his frequent speeches about reform. His tenure had been characterized by a steady decline in freedoms.” JNM will work consistently and wholeheartedly to reverse the regime’s absolute military-style of governance. To avoid generating new evil terrorists and suppressed people in Jordan, our friends must work hand-in-hand with us to carry out this long-awaited change swiftly, peacefully and democratically!

Cc:

President George W. Bush, U.S.A.
President Vladimir Putin, Russia
President Hu Jintao, the People's Republic of China
President Jacques Chirac, France
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan
Senator Hilary Clinton, U.S. Senate
Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General
Steve Hadley, US National Security Adviser
Klaus Schwab, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 
Members of U.S. Congress
European Union, Delegation of the European Commission to the United States  
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Transparency International
U.S. and Worldwide Human Rights Organizations and Political Institutions 
U.S. and Jordanian Press and Media

From : H Hady <h_hady@msn.com>
Sent : Thursday, March 4, 2004 5:33 PM
To : salahmomani@yahoo.com, arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Regarding You Article, The Gangs of abu hannefy

Salam Ya A'7 Salah

I have read your article about the Gangs in Jordan, As Jordanians, we all know that these Gangs and smugglers work for Al shreef Fwaz, and Jameel Bin Nasser and his brother Hussein, (and their father may god fry him in hell, before them) who in turn share the wealth with the rest of the royal family losers. So, please Stop trying to blame others like these puppets, so called prime ministers. As a member of a prominent (are not we all), i have met most of these Jackasses, or like My father used to say; Mules addressed As Stallions, We know the facts, and where the corruption is, it is the Head My Fellow Jordanian. So .. call it as it is. These people had an opportunity and they seized it, nothing more. It is better them than the Syrians and Lebanese and iraqis..etc. ( the lesser of the two evils). Jordan is the whore of neighborhood, all those screw her are but strangers, apologies for using such an example. But the truth is that.

Stories are plenty about this family and there “Divide and Conquer” Mentality, and the abuse that they have handed to the Jordanians.

Here we are You and I as an example, frustrated Jordanians, strangers in a strange land, trying to make a living, and worrying about what will the future hold. Yet, our land is being raped by filth...

I admire your writings, please keep the good work and keep it real.

Respectfully;

Hemd Al howettat

From : Fadi Melhem <maam77_26@hotmail.com>
Sent : Thursday, February 26, 2004 11:51 PM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Re: Omar Khattab

Dear in Arabtimes newspaper......Alsalaaam 3alikom o Ram7met Allah o Barakato...

This is the first time for me to write to you, the reason for that I was one of your daily reader and I saw how much you hurt us as a Jordanians "bedouins, miniorities, cheap and many other things" I don't wana to repeat it again and again because still there are many peoples hates us and for me and for many Jordanians we don't care wallahi we don't "we are honest, clean pure open minded ", for those who have anything against us let them show it but we are not responsible for what Abduallah or Rania did "the first one is from Hijaz and the second one is a pitch from Palestine" so there is no Jordanians o alhamdo lelah among them and we are not in need for that....

I would like to send my sincere greeting to "Omar Khattab" for his nice strong wise letter and I hope all of us write in the same way he did... I hope that my letter will be posted and show it on the website.....

Fadi Melhem ....Jordanian Student , Ohio_U.S

From : FAWWAZW03@msn.com
Sent : Tuesday, February 24, 2004 3:09 PM
To : "arabtimesnewspaper" <arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com>
Subject : Jihad al-Moumani
 

Dear Dr. Osama,
I appraise what you wrote about Jihad al- Moumani, I met him sesvral times specially when we went to Cairo to attend the Arab- Israeli Alliance for Peace' Conference which was held in the Marriot Hotel ( Omar el-Khayyam)Cairo June.2000.
Jihad , Ahmad Owaidi al-Abbadi, Sultan Hattab and Samer abu- Libdeh, and other Jordanians were desperately trying to kiss Shimon Perez' ass and Yousi Belen's.
When Yael Dayan ( Moshe Dayan's daughter) walked in the conference room, Jihad was the first one to kiss her hand, he did it before Sultan al-Hattab.
(Off course you know that Sultan is Abdul Hai al-Majali's body).
You can check with Tayseer al-Ajarmeh ( off course he is a real person, I was a lawyer in Jordan and I know the Judges and their prices....Tayseer is a clean one)
Fawwaz Tuqan

From :
Sent : Tuesday, February 24, 2004 9:35 AM
To : arabtimesnewspaper@hotmail.com
Subject : Why not Morocco!


Dear Mr. Osama , This is my fifth e-mail to you , I want you not only write on Jordan dectator King Abdullah, But I want to write on this big fucker King of Morocco Mohamed 6th and I want you to write in Arabic, because we Moroccan cannot read English and we only know Arabic and French.

I am a woman from Morocco, I am now in other country where I felt freedom and got married and have kids.

Please, we Moroccan girls wherever go they pointed us big bitch .This true but not totally true. Because Moroccan government during the big dectator King Hassan 2nd was the one who want prostitution to happen in Morocco because we are poor and no jobs and he cannot offer us jobs because He had many palaces in New York and Spain and all the money of Moroccan people is with his fuccker royal family and his big other Mafia members who surround him so you will find in Morocco only business of HASHEESH AND SHARMATA so Moroccan women do not like this job because they are poor and how they can feed themeselves since there is no jobs at all. You also can see many news on 4000 Moroccan people who lost their lives near Spain Jabel Tareq because they want to escape from the hell of dectators of Morocco. Please I beg you to write on this ESABA that govern Morocco. I want you tpublish many scandals on them because they are the one who let us be bitches and beggers and theives how do you want us to survive. No body care and if you talk and complain they will kill you without judging or if you are lucky they will put you in black jail where you will die slowly you will find this iN Marrakesh under one big garden countered by flowers but under the ground of this garden there is the big jail who all Moroccan people know. Please kill them in your website

Thanks.


From: FAWWAZW03@msn.com
To: taysaja@yahoo.co.uk,arabtimes@aol.com
Subject: Mohammed Rasoul Kailani is a dirty man
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2004 4:27 PM

Dear Tayseer,
I read your article about this pig Kailani who was one of the Jordanian regim's pigs( I can't say dpgs, as dogs are precious comparing to such a pig), I believe you 100% because I know many stories about this pig and I know Abdul Fattah Toukan very well ( He is not a relative of mine).
Who calls himself Dr. Toukan is welling to be one of the Jordanian regim's pigs, since I met him in Alexandr