| JORDAN Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah Joined United Nations: 14 December 1955 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 20 January 2013 |
CHAPTER TWO
Rights and Duties of Jordanians
Article 5
Jordanian Nationality shall be defined by law.
Article 6
(i) Jordanians shall be equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination between them as regards to their rights and duties on grounds
of race, language or religion.
(ii) The Government shall ensure work and education within the limits of its possibilities, and it shall ensure a state of tranquillity and equal
opportunities to all Jordanians.
Article 7
Personal freedom shall be guaranteed.
Article 8
No person may be detained or imprisoned except in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Article 9
(i) No Jordanian may be deported from the territory of the Kingdom.
(ii) No Jordanian may be prevented from residing at any place, or be compelled to reside in any specified place, except in the
circumstances prescribed by law.
Article 10
Dwelling houses shall be inviolable and shall not be entered except in the circumstances and in the manner prescribed by law.
Article 11
No property of any person may be expropriated except for purposes of public utility and in consideration of a just compensation, as may
be prescribed by law.
Article 12
No loans may be forcibly imposed and no property, movable or immovable, may be confiscated except in accordance with the law.
Article 13
Compulsory labour may not be imposed on any person, but any person may be required to do any work or to render any service in
circumstances prescribed by law, as stated hereunder:
(i) In a state of necessity, such as a state of war, the occurrence of a public danger, or fire, flood, famine, earthquake, serious epidemic
among human beings or animals or animal diseases, insects or pests or any other similar events, or in any other circumstances which
might endanger the safety of the population, in whole or in part.
(ii) As a result of the conviction of the person concerned by a court of law, provided that the work is done and the service rendered under
the supervision of an official authority and provided further that no convicted person shall be hired to, or be placed at the disposal of, any
persons, companies, societies or public bodies.
Article 14
The State shall safeguard the free exercise of all forms of worship and religious rites in accordance with the customs observed in the
Kingdom, unless such is inconsistent with public order or morality.
Article 15
(i) The State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means
of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law.
(ii) Freedom of the press and publications shall be ensured within the limits of the law.
(iii) Newspapers shall not be suspended from publication nor shall their permits be revoked except in accordance with the provisions of
the law.
(iv) In the event of the declaration of martial law or a state of emergency, a limited censorship on newspapers, publications, books and
broadcasts in matters affecting public safety and national defence may be imposed by law.
(v) Control of the resources of newspaper shall be regulated by law.
Article 16
(i) Jordanians shall have the right to hold meetings within the limits of the law.
(ii) Jordanians are entitled to establish societies and political parties provided that the objects of such societies and parties are lawful, their
methods peaceful, and their by-laws not contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
(iii) The establishment of societies and political parties and the control of their resources shall be regulated by law.
Article 17
Jordanians are entitled to address the public authorities on any personal matters affecting them, or on any matter relative to public affairs,
in such a manner and under such conditions as may be prescribed by law.
Article 18
All postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications shall be treated as secret and as such shall not be subject to censorship or
suspension except in circumstances prescribed by law.
Article 19
Congregations shall have the right to establish and maintain their own schools for the education of their own members provided that they
comply with the general provisions of the law and be subject to the control of Government in matters relating to their curricula and
orientation.
Article 20
Elementary education shall be compulsory for Jordanians and free of charge in Government schools.
Article 21
(i) Political refugees shall not be extradited on account of their political beliefs or for their defence of liberty.
(ii) Extradition of ordinary criminals shall be regulated by international agreements and laws.
Article 22
(i) Every Jordanian shall be entitled to be appointed to public offices under such conditions as are prescribed by law or regulations.
(ii) Appointment to any government office or to any establishment attached to the Government, or to any municipal office, whether such
appointment is permanent or temporary, shall be made on the basis of merit and qualifications.
Article 23
(i) Work is the right of every citizen, and the State shall provide opportunities for work to all citizens by directing the national economy
and raising its standards.
(ii) The State shall protect labour and enact legislation therefore based on the following principles:
(a) Every worker shall receive wages commensurate with the quantity and quality of his work.
(b) The number of hours of work per week shall be defined. Workers shall be given weekly and annual days of paid rest.
(c) Special compensation shall be given to workers supporting families and on dismissal, illness, old age and emergencies arising out of
the nature of their work.
(d) Special conditions shall be made for the employment of women and juveniles.
(e) Factories and workshops shall be subject to health safeguards.
(f) Free trade unions may be formed within the limits of the law.
Rights and Duties of Jordanians
Article 5
Jordanian Nationality shall be defined by law.
Article 6
(i) Jordanians shall be equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination between them as regards to their rights and duties on grounds
of race, language or religion.
(ii) The Government shall ensure work and education within the limits of its possibilities, and it shall ensure a state of tranquillity and equal
opportunities to all Jordanians.
Article 7
Personal freedom shall be guaranteed.
Article 8
No person may be detained or imprisoned except in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Article 9
(i) No Jordanian may be deported from the territory of the Kingdom.
(ii) No Jordanian may be prevented from residing at any place, or be compelled to reside in any specified place, except in the
circumstances prescribed by law.
Article 10
Dwelling houses shall be inviolable and shall not be entered except in the circumstances and in the manner prescribed by law.
Article 11
No property of any person may be expropriated except for purposes of public utility and in consideration of a just compensation, as may
be prescribed by law.
Article 12
No loans may be forcibly imposed and no property, movable or immovable, may be confiscated except in accordance with the law.
Article 13
Compulsory labour may not be imposed on any person, but any person may be required to do any work or to render any service in
circumstances prescribed by law, as stated hereunder:
(i) In a state of necessity, such as a state of war, the occurrence of a public danger, or fire, flood, famine, earthquake, serious epidemic
among human beings or animals or animal diseases, insects or pests or any other similar events, or in any other circumstances which
might endanger the safety of the population, in whole or in part.
(ii) As a result of the conviction of the person concerned by a court of law, provided that the work is done and the service rendered under
the supervision of an official authority and provided further that no convicted person shall be hired to, or be placed at the disposal of, any
persons, companies, societies or public bodies.
Article 14
The State shall safeguard the free exercise of all forms of worship and religious rites in accordance with the customs observed in the
Kingdom, unless such is inconsistent with public order or morality.
Article 15
(i) The State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means
of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law.
(ii) Freedom of the press and publications shall be ensured within the limits of the law.
(iii) Newspapers shall not be suspended from publication nor shall their permits be revoked except in accordance with the provisions of
the law.
(iv) In the event of the declaration of martial law or a state of emergency, a limited censorship on newspapers, publications, books and
broadcasts in matters affecting public safety and national defence may be imposed by law.
(v) Control of the resources of newspaper shall be regulated by law.
Article 16
(i) Jordanians shall have the right to hold meetings within the limits of the law.
(ii) Jordanians are entitled to establish societies and political parties provided that the objects of such societies and parties are lawful, their
methods peaceful, and their by-laws not contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
(iii) The establishment of societies and political parties and the control of their resources shall be regulated by law.
Article 17
Jordanians are entitled to address the public authorities on any personal matters affecting them, or on any matter relative to public affairs,
in such a manner and under such conditions as may be prescribed by law.
Article 18
All postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications shall be treated as secret and as such shall not be subject to censorship or
suspension except in circumstances prescribed by law.
Article 19
Congregations shall have the right to establish and maintain their own schools for the education of their own members provided that they
comply with the general provisions of the law and be subject to the control of Government in matters relating to their curricula and
orientation.
Article 20
Elementary education shall be compulsory for Jordanians and free of charge in Government schools.
Article 21
(i) Political refugees shall not be extradited on account of their political beliefs or for their defence of liberty.
(ii) Extradition of ordinary criminals shall be regulated by international agreements and laws.
Article 22
(i) Every Jordanian shall be entitled to be appointed to public offices under such conditions as are prescribed by law or regulations.
(ii) Appointment to any government office or to any establishment attached to the Government, or to any municipal office, whether such
appointment is permanent or temporary, shall be made on the basis of merit and qualifications.
Article 23
(i) Work is the right of every citizen, and the State shall provide opportunities for work to all citizens by directing the national economy
and raising its standards.
(ii) The State shall protect labour and enact legislation therefore based on the following principles:
(a) Every worker shall receive wages commensurate with the quantity and quality of his work.
(b) The number of hours of work per week shall be defined. Workers shall be given weekly and annual days of paid rest.
(c) Special compensation shall be given to workers supporting families and on dismissal, illness, old age and emergencies arising out of
the nature of their work.
(d) Special conditions shall be made for the employment of women and juveniles.
(e) Factories and workshops shall be subject to health safeguards.
(f) Free trade unions may be formed within the limits of the law.
Evidence of human existence in the region dates back since at least 17,000 BCE with
villages arising around 3200 BCE. During the Middle Bronze Age (1950-1550 BCE), migration
patterns in the Middle East increased. Trading continued to develop between Egypt, Syria,
Arabia, Palestine and Jordan, resulting in the spread of civilization and technology.
Archaeologists usually date the end of the Middle Bronze Age to about 1550 BCE, when a
number of Middle Bronze Age towns in Palestine and Jordan were destroyed. Following
World War I, the region came under control of a British Mandate called "Palestine-
Transjordan." In 1922, the British partitioned the region at the Jordan River, establishing a
semi-autonomous Emirate of Trans-Jordan and the installation of Prince Abdullah I Jordan's
Organic Law was instituted in April 1928 under the guidance of Emir Abdullah. It provided for
a consultative parliament, and Jordan's first elections were held in April of the following year.
This document was transformed after Jordan gained full independence in May 1946,
following the abolition of the British Mandate. A new constitution was formulated and
adopted by the Legislative Council on November 28, 1947. A few years later, the
Constitution was liberalized by King Talal and ratified on January 1, 1952. It is the one in
current use today. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Part Two (Rights and
Duties of Jordanians), conforms with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights of
which Jordan is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full English translation of Jordan's
Constitution, click here.
villages arising around 3200 BCE. During the Middle Bronze Age (1950-1550 BCE), migration
patterns in the Middle East increased. Trading continued to develop between Egypt, Syria,
Arabia, Palestine and Jordan, resulting in the spread of civilization and technology.
Archaeologists usually date the end of the Middle Bronze Age to about 1550 BCE, when a
number of Middle Bronze Age towns in Palestine and Jordan were destroyed. Following
World War I, the region came under control of a British Mandate called "Palestine-
Transjordan." In 1922, the British partitioned the region at the Jordan River, establishing a
semi-autonomous Emirate of Trans-Jordan and the installation of Prince Abdullah I Jordan's
Organic Law was instituted in April 1928 under the guidance of Emir Abdullah. It provided for
a consultative parliament, and Jordan's first elections were held in April of the following year.
This document was transformed after Jordan gained full independence in May 1946,
following the abolition of the British Mandate. A new constitution was formulated and
adopted by the Legislative Council on November 28, 1947. A few years later, the
Constitution was liberalized by King Talal and ratified on January 1, 1952. It is the one in
current use today. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Part Two (Rights and
Duties of Jordanians), conforms with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights of
which Jordan is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full English translation of Jordan's
Constitution, click here.