AMMAN — Article 6 of the
Jordanian constitution states that
“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.”
اضافة اعلان
The absence of a gender-sensitive term in the text of
Article 6 has for long stirred lengthy discussions and differing views as to
the need to add “Urduniat” or Jordanian women to the text, with some disputing
the need to specify both genders, and others snubbing the motion, eventually
leading to a proposed constitutional amendment.
The Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday approved the
amendment to add “women” after Jordanians, whereby the Article would read “…
Jordanian men and women...” again stirring opposing views regarding the logic
of the amendment.
Head of the House Legal Committee Abdul Monem Odat told
journalists following the session that “originally the word Jordanians meant
everyone, men and women, but this specification aims to emphasise the law’s
protection of these social segments and to maximize their active role in
building society, as well as their full integration in rights and duties.”
Deputies were divided about the addition to the text, some
out of respect for the Constitution, not wishing to make room for any future
changes, others concerned about possible future discriminatory laws, while many
were in agreement about the need to specify “women Jordanians” as having equal
rights and duties.
Lawmaker Saleh Armouti said that women have for the longest
time enjoyed their full rights under the protection of the constitution without
the disputed addition. “I think we did not need this new amendment that sparked
wide controversy,” he argued, adding that “it was meant as an introduction to
tampering with the Civil Status Law” which raises concerns among the majority
of deputies.
Lawmaker Khalil Attieh commended the amendment, saying “it
would not cause any harm to public interests.” He negated the notion that it
would create discrimination, saying “on the contrary, it specifies the point of
equality.”
Mohammad Abu Saileek was one of the lawmakers who opposed
amendment, saying the text of the Constitution has existed for so long without
opposition, “so why would we have to change it now!” He raised concerns that the approved
modification “would open the way for other bigger changes.”
Lawmaker Aisheh Al-Hassanat said she was for the amendment
and commended the timing, which she said “aligns with His Majesty’s vision
towards enhancing the role of women.
Lawmaker Mohammad Hlalat said he was against the principle
of amending the Constitution, saying the text, in its old version, “covered all
Jordanians, irrespective of gender.”
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