AMMAN — The Lower House held a legislative session on
Wednesday to continue discussions on the anti-money laundering and terrorism
financing bill, which included a debate on a proposal that would require
lawyers to provide evidence against their own clients.
اضافة اعلان
During the legislative session, MP Abdul Karim Al-Daghmi
objected to the proposal to require lawyers to produce evidence against their
clients, which would apply if they suspect them of engaging in suspicious
conduct. Daghmi stated that lawyers are essential for banking secrecy and
clients’ confidentiality, and emphasized that a lawyer has no right to testify
against a client.
He stated that “even if a person comes and confesses to (his
lawyer) that he is guilty, the lawyer could not testify against him” and that
“this plan is not acceptable at all.” He added that it is outside the general
rules of the legal profession as well as the general principles of the trust
contract.
In response, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Mahmoud
Al-Kharabsheh argued that whistleblowers and informants are key for uncovering
money laundering and terrorist financing, which is what the bill meant to do.
The proposal was eventually unanimously struck down.
During the session, MP Saleh Al-Armouti also criticized the
behavior of banks, demanding that the Central Bank stop requesting variable
data from Jordanians and regulate other banks to do the same.
He also objected to government-approved language in the
anti-money laundering and terrorism financing bill that would make it legal for
authorities to confiscate a wife’s money if a husband violates or commits the
crime of money laundering or another financial crime, stating that a woman’s
obligation in Sharia is independent from her husband’s.
MPs also urged the government to bring back a general
pardon, which was first implemented in 2018 and encompassed a variety of
felonies, tickets, and criminal acts.
According to the memo, the gesture was made in light of the
coronavirus pandemic and the tough economic situation the country is facing.
The memo stated that the issuing of the pardon would be a watershed moment for
inmates’ families.
Thousands of detainees who had been included in a nationwide
amnesty were released in May 2019. At the time, His Majesty King Abdullah
ratified the General Pardon Law, as passed by the 18th House of
Representatives.
Additionally, members addressed a controversy from Monday’s
session. Jordan News reported that on Monday, MP Osama Al-Ajarmeh made
offensive comments during the session towards other MPs and towards the Dome.
On Wednesday, he was referred to the legal committee for an investigation into
his remarks.
The Speaker of Parliament, lawyer Abdel Moneim Al-Awadat,
addressed the incident. He said: “We will not accept any encroachment on the
prestige and reputation of the
House of Representatives,” emphasizing that “the
dignity of each colleague is the dignity of all of them.” Members expressed
their anger at Ajarmeh’s comments.
MP
Osama Al-Ajarmah made a statement towards the end of the
session despite multiple hectic and impassioned interruptions from other
members, as well as from Awadat, who demanded an apology. Although Ajarmeh
started to deliver his statement; he was not able to finish his due to the
ending of the session.
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