On 20 August 1996, Jordanian authorities arrested Nayef Tawarah, publisher of the weekly “Al-Bilad”, editor Khaled Kasasbeh and journalists Taha Abu Riden and Rakan Sa’aideh. They were accused of “sowing discord” and are to be tried for “publishing false information.” The newspaper reported that a girl had died during the rioting that has rocked southern […]
On 20 August 1996, Jordanian authorities arrested Nayef Tawarah,
publisher of the weekly “Al-Bilad”, editor Khaled Kasasbeh and
journalists Taha Abu Riden and Rakan Sa’aideh. They were accused
of “sowing discord” and are to be tried for “publishing false
information.” The newspaper reported that a girl had died during
the rioting that has rocked southern Jordan for the past week,
and that army helicopters had overflown the town of Karak. The
four men face prison sentences of between six months to three
years if found guilty.
In addition, 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, was arrested on 19 August. It is
not clear what the charges against him are, but he is apparently
accused of taking part in demonstrations in the south of the
country.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
guarantees freedom of information
Abu Riden and Rakan Sa’aideh are released immediately
charged with any 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.
