Title: Jordan Under Fire for Alleged Intimidation of LGBTQ+ Community and Closure of Organizations
Jordan has come under scrutiny from human rights groups following allegations of a severe crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals, which includes acts of intimidation, abduction, and the closure of LGBTQ+ organizations. The Guardian reported on Friday that the Jordanian authorities have been accused of putting the lives of gay people at risk by outing them to their families and taking actions that force LGBTQ+ organizations to shut down.
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that the General Intelligence Directorate’s (GID) intimidation campaign against LGBTQ+ individuals and groups has escalated since January. Men associated with LGBTQ+ organizations in Jordan have reportedly faced interrogations by GID agents, resulting in one being outed to his conservative family and the other receiving threats. These individuals also had their bank accounts frozen, ultimately leading to the closure of their organizations.
One director of an LGBTQ+ center, who goes by the pseudonym Mounir, shared his ordeal with The Guardian, stating that his relationship with his family was ruined after being outed. The situation became so dire that Mounir had to leave his parents’ house and eventually fled Jordan seeking asylum abroad.
Rasha Younes, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the government’s tactics of leveraging society against queer individuals. She stated, The government wouldn’t kill you or put you in jail because you’re gay. But they will let your family kill you. Younes outlined that the crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights began in 2015 and has intensified in recent years.
However, Jordanian authorities have denied these allegations, claiming that no LGBTQ+ organizations exist in Jordan. They further suggested that individuals are making these claims to increase their chances of receiving asylum in foreign countries. The government released a statement to The Guardian, asserting that LGBTQ+ individuals are not a target for security agencies and that any cases of detention are related to the violation of other laws.
Despite Jordan’s relatively progressive stance compared to other Middle Eastern countries, as it has decriminalized same-sex relationships, the country does not provide legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, public opinion remains hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community, often resulting in deadly consequences.
In a concerning development, a new cybercrime law was ratified on Saturday, drawing criticism from human rights groups. LGBTQ+ people fear that this legislation will further restrict their freedom of expression online. The law imposes severe punishments, including imprisonment, for activities deemed to promote, instigate, aid, or incite immorality or show contempt for religion and undermine national unity.
Critics argue that this law is not only detrimental to LGBTQ+ rights but also represents a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Jordan. The restrictive nature of this legislation has raised concerns among human rights advocacies about the diminishing space for voicing dissent and the potential for abuse of power.
The situation in Jordan serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in many parts of the world. While progress has been made, there is much work to be done to ensure equal rights and protections for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Human rights organizations continue to call for an end to the intimidation, the provision of legal safeguards, and the protection of freedom of expression in Jordan and beyond.
