Rights expert warns Jordan on anti-terrorism law

Geneva, Sept 8: A UN human rights expert urged Jordan to review a recently approved anti-terrorism law because it threatened some basic human rights.

''The implementation of this law as it currently stands could negatively impact on a number of human rights,'' said Martin Scheinin, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms yesterday.

The law was approved by Jordan's parliament on August. 27. It allows the preventive detention of suspects for up to 30 days without access to lawyers, despite criticism by Islamists and human rights activists.

Authorities introduced the new bill after last November's suicide bombings that killed 60 people, saying the country faced its biggest security challenge.

The Finnish lawyer, who first wrote to the Jordanian authorities in July expressing his concerns, said in a statement the new regulations defined terrorism too broadly and allowed police to hold suspects for too long.

''Before Jordan's anti-terrorism law enters into force, I call for further debate and amendments,'' said Scheinin, who reports to the United Nations' top human rights body, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

On Monday, a lone gunman opened fire on a group of foreign tourists in Amman, killing a British man and wounding six other people.

REUTERS