The Cabinet decided at its meeting on Sunday, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, to begin amending a package of laws related to terrorism cases in order to impose harsher penalties on perpetrators of terrorist crimes, with the aim of safeguarding national security and maintaining civil and societal peace.
The proposed amendments include extending the prison year for individuals convicted of terrorism offences to 12 months instead of nine, excluding currently serving terrorism convicts from the good-conduct exemption, imposing mandatory precautionary measures after they complete their sentences, doubling penalties for those who assist, incite, or participate in terrorist crimes, and toughening penalties for hate speech and conduct related to terrorism.
Key Details of the Proposed Amendments
The Cabinet decided to double the minimum penalties for terrorism offences stipulated in the Anti-Terrorism Law, increasing them from five to 10 years, and to 15 years in certain cases, with some offences carrying the death penalty.
It also decided that prison sentences for individuals convicted of multiple terrorism offences will be served cumulatively, with the sentence for each crime calculated separately. This would replace the current practice of imposing only the longest sentence, with the aim of achieving both general and specific deterrence.
The Cabinet further decided to extend the prison year for terrorism convicts to 12 months instead of nine by preventing them from benefiting from Article 34 of the Correction and Rehabilitation Centres Law. The article currently allows prisoners to be released before completing their full sentences after serving three-quarters of their terms, a provision the government says should not apply given the seriousness of these crimes and acts.
Effective Sunday, the government also decided to exclude current terrorism convicts from the good-conduct exemption, meaning that each year of their prison sentence will count as 12 months rather than nine.
The Cabinet also approved mandatory precautionary measures for individuals convicted of terrorism offences after they complete their sentences. These measures would keep them under an enhanced security monitoring system for a period determined by the court, using measures such as electronic surveillance, close tracking, and house arrest.
In addition, the Cabinet decided to double penalties for individuals who cooperate with, incite, or assist perpetrators of terrorist offences under the proposed amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law.
The government also plans to impose tougher penalties for hate speech and conduct associated with terrorism, extending prison terms to periods intended to serve as a deterrent.
Amendments to Be Referred to Parliament Within Two Weeks
The Cabinet said the proposed legislative amendments would be given urgent status and referred to the House of Representatives within two weeks for discussion and approval in accordance with constitutional procedures.
The government explained that these amendments constitute the first package in a comprehensive review it has launched of various laws and legislation. The review aims to strengthen measures against terrorism and extremism, enhance general deterrence, and protect national security and societal peace.
Cabinet Pays Tribute to Martyred Soldier
At the beginning of Sunday’s meeting, the Cabinet recited Al-Fatiha in memory of martyred soldier Jawad Al-Salaytah, who was martyred following the heinous terrorist attack that took place last Thursday on Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Street in Amman.
The Cabinet extended its condolences to Al-Salaytah’s family and relatives, as well as to all Jordanians. It also wished his colleague, First Lieutenant Firas Al-Ananzeh, a safe and speedy recovery, praising his courage, which prevented the terrorist perpetrator from continuing his criminal actions.
