The European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren, emphasized Jordan's importance as a reliable strategic partner for the EU and a pillar of stability in a region facing growing challenges, praising the resilience and capacity the Kingdom has demonstrated in handling the repercussions of regional crises.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a press conference held in Amman on the sidelines of her visit to the Kingdom, she stated that Jordan is highly valued by the European Union within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership. This partnership is continuously reflected through high-level visits, meetings, and ongoing coordination on various issues of mutual interest.
Ollongren added that regional dynamics—including security, displacement, and human rights—topped the agenda of her discussions with Jordanian officials and civil society representatives. She expressed her admiration for the level of cooperation between Jordan and the EU, particularly regarding Syrian refugee files and the broader fallout of the Syrian crisis.
She underscored the importance of maintaining a multilateral international order based on the rule of law, describing it as the most effective framework to protect people's interests and enhance global stability. She stressed the urgent need to defend this order in light of rapid geopolitical shifts.
The European official also noted that media and various communication channels play a pivotal role in fostering trust and delivering information to citizens, emphasizing that access to information is a fundamental right and a key element in supporting societies and bolstering institutional trust.
Ollongren pointed out that current challenges have revealed a growing trust gap among youth regarding the effectiveness of the international system, driven by protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises in several regions, including Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. She reaffirmed that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are core components of the human rights framework.
She observed that the international system has fallen short of successfully protecting civilians during armed conflicts, despite the existence of clear rules under international humanitarian law. In her view, the challenge lies not in the legal rules themselves, but rather in the weak commitment to respecting and enforcing them.
Furthermore, she emphasized that dialogue and diplomatic engagement remain the most effective paths toward resolving crises and conflicts. She described her discussions in Jordan regarding various human rights issues as "frank and open," conducted within the framework of the structured, ongoing institutional dialogue between the Kingdom and the European Union on democracy, governance, and human rights.
Ollongren noted that she met with representatives from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Their discussions focused on the conditions of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, as well as the challenges tied to sustaining aid delivery, particularly given the decline in funding allocated to international organizations.
She explained that while the European Union remains the largest donor to humanitarian efforts for refugees, the upcoming phase demands more sustainable solutions amid mounting fears of deteriorating regional conditions and the potential emergence of new waves of displacement.
Regarding women's empowerment, the EU official praised the high level of education achieved by Jordanian women and their high rates of university enrollment. She highlighted the importance of increasing their participation in the labor market and leveraging qualified female talents to drive economic and social development.
She noted positive advancements in women's political participation, including an increased number of women in the House of Representatives, adding that addressing challenges related to transportation, infrastructure, and childcare would further bolster women’s economic engagement.
Ollongren also lauded the vibrancy of civil society organizations in Jordan and the space available for them to operate, noting that the Kingdom has become a destination for several journalists who were unable to continue their work in other countries across the region.
On the Palestinian issue, Ollongren described it as one of the most pressing and complex human rights matters in the region, asserting that the future of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination must form a core component of any sustainable solution.
She stated that the European Union closely monitors the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and supports international accountability mechanisms, the rule of law, and the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). She recalled that the EU had imposed sanctions on settlers in the West Bank due to acts of violence and had condemned settlement expansion plans.
Concluding her remarks, Ollongren stressed that human rights are universal and indivisible principles that must be applied equally across all nations, reinforcing that commitment to international principles should be comprehensive and fair to everyone. (Petra)
