Hilmi Asmar, editor of the weekly “Al-Sabeel”, the newspaper of the Islamic Action Front, and vice-chairman of the Jordanian Press Association (JPA), was arrested at his home on 18 September 1996 by officials of the internal security service, apparently over a report published earlier in the week about the methods of torture used by Jordanian […]
Hilmi Asmar, editor of the weekly “Al-Sabeel”, the newspaper of
the Islamic Action Front, and vice-chairman of the Jordanian
Press Association (JPA), was arrested at his home on 18 September
1996 by officials of the internal security service, apparently
over a report published earlier in the week about the methods of
torture used by Jordanian secret agents. The report quoted a
member of the Palestinian group Hamas, who described the physical
and psychological violence he had suffered.
**New case, plus update to IFEX alert dated 21 August 1996**
As well, Nasser Kammech, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Saout
al-Maraa”, was arrested on 19 September on the premises of the
Law Court of Amman. His detention is reportedly linked to an
article about prostitution which was published in May.
Meanwhile, Fouad Hussein, a journalist with the daily “Al-Aswaq”
and a member of the Baath Arab and Socialist Party , which has
been linked to Iraq, continues to be held at Suwaqa prison, south
of Amman. He was arrested on 19 August (see IFEX alert). One JPA
member said the charges against him were very vague. However,
according to other sources, he is soon to appear before the state
security court for “incitement to sedition and terrorist
activities” because he supported demonstrations against bread
price increases in the south of the country in mid-August. His
lawyer has not been allowed access to details of the case against
him.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
guarantees freedom of information
Asmar and Nasser Kammech
stating that he should be freed unless he is to be charged with a
clearly recognised offence
Appeals To
His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Royal Palace
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 634 755
His Excellency Dr Abd al-Karim Kabariti
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 80
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 642 520
His Excellency Abd al-Karim al-Dughami
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Telegram: Minister of Justice, Amman, Jordan
His Excellency Awad Khleifat
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 606 908
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
