national_charter of jordan

Introduction
In order to place Jordan's progress to democracy on a stable foundation, a 60-member royal
commission was appointed by King Hussein in April 1990 with the aim of drafting guidelines
for the conduct of political party activity in Jordan. The commission comprised members
representing all the political groups in the country, and it produced a written consensus in the
form of the National Charter. The Charter was adopted in June 1991 at a national conference of
2000 leading Jordanians.
The National Charter outlines general guidelines for constructive dialogue between the
executive and legislative organs, as well as between decision-makers and political and
intellectual elites concerning questions of authority, rights and responsibility. It enunciates the
terms under which political parties can operate—namely, within the framework of the
Constitution and free of foreign funding—and also emphasizes broad agreement on the need
for the political reflection of Jordan's cultural pluralism. Perhaps most importantly, the Charter
has given Jordanian leaders a sense of direction, an insurance policy against outbidding by
unrestrained groups, and a degree of predictability in political affairs. It has also eased concerns
about the consequences of unbridled freedom of expression. The National Charter, along with
the Jordanian Constitution, provides a compass for the national debate on fundamental issues.
CHAPTER ONE
The Charter: Rationale and Aims
To complete and strengthen the process of Jordanian reconstruction, His Majesty the King
Hussein Bin Talal ordered the establishment of a Royal Commission and charged it with the
task of drawing up a National Charter which would lay the foundations and define the
methods of national public activity. The Charter would also point out the way for the future,
establishing general guidelines on the exercise of political pluralism in so far as it constitutes the
second component of democracy. This would be accomplished on the basis of the constant
tenets of the Constitution, as well as of political and national tradition. It would take cognisance
of existing realities in Jordanian society in such a manner as would guarantee continued
national progress and democratic change and protect them from taking an adverse course.
The Jordanian Constitution contains a range of constant general principles which regulate the
form of governance in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as the manner of interaction
by the public with these principles. This has been in force since the inception and establishment
of the Jordanian State. The Jordanian public views these principles as axiomatic and
incontrovertible because they emanate from conviction, deeply-held beliefs and self-interest.
These principles reflect the pride of all Jordanians in their national identity as part and parcel of
the Arab nation and their faith in Islam as both the religion of the state and a defining
civilisation for the people.
· Since a commitment to these constant principles would make the relentless Jordanian
and national struggle for a better future a fundamental task entrusted to the
government and people to an equal degree,
· And, since continued solidarity between the leadership and the people is a most
important guarantee for securing Jordanian and national objectives, and, since the
historical phase through which Jordan and the Arab world are currently passing is
replete with challenges and dangers threatening the nation's destiny, foreshadowing a
possible hegemony over its will and its freedom and testing its ability to keep up with
scientific and cultural progress, to utilise its resources for the benefit of its citizenry or
to share with other nations in the building of a better future for mankind as a whole,
· And, since the Jordanian Arab citizens look for progress and for acquiring the necessary
means to defend their homeland and to ensure the security of their society, and since
they enjoy a high sense of responsibility and a deep appreciation of the importance of
their participation in securing their own and their children's future within an
established and stable framework of democracy and institutional principles,
· And, since democracy can only be enhanced through emphasis on the universally
recognized rights of the individual and through a guarantee of the rights of citizenship
as secured by the Jordanian Constitution, and since these rights are enshrined in our
great Arab and Islamic traditions and are given a place of honor therein, including the
people's right to hold varying opinions as well as the right of the citizens, be they male
or female, to change their circumstances and improve their lot by legal means, express
their views, and resort to whatever they deem necessary for the benefit of the whole by
legitimate methods, and participate in the decision-making process.
For all these reasons, therefore, the democratic option is the most efficient and appropriate
means of fulfilling the aspirations of the Jordanian people and their hopes at the national, Arab
and universal levels. Agreement on these approaches by all segments and by popular and
official bodies at all levels has been achieved with regard to a sum of concepts, values and basic
principles, as well as with regard to Jordanian and Arab objectives enunciated by the Charter.
These should regulate public life and organise the state of relations among all official and
popular bodies in society. Such agreement can only be regarded as an advanced form of
cultural achievement and a comprehensive platform for the future. Its salient features and
fundamental concepts are defined through the following set of facts, principles and constants:
FIRST: The system of government in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is parliamentary,
monarchic and hereditary. Adherence by all to legitimacy and to respect of the letter and spirit
of the Constitution shall enhance the union between the people and their leadership.
SECOND: The Jordanian people are part of the Arab nation. Arab unity is the only option that
would achieve national security for Jordan and the Arab nation in all Arab countries, guarantee
economic and psychological stability and ensure preservation, progress and continuity.
THIRD: Faith in God, respect for spiritual values, adherence to higher principles and
acceptance of the right of every individual to a life of freedom and decency are fundamental
concepts in the building of the state and the achievement of progress by Jordanian society.
FOURTH: Islam is the religion of the state , and Islamic law is the principal source of
legislation.
FIFTH: Arab Islamic civilisation, open to world civilisation, is the defining aspect of the
national identity of the Jordanian people. It constitutes one of the bases of its unity,
independence and progress in the face of division, dependence and cultural intrusion in all its
forms. It is also a wellhead of innate values which Jordanian society seeks to strengthen,
through science, learning, education and good example.
SIXTH: The Arabic language is the official language of the state. It is the language of the Holy
Qur'an which has preserved for the Arab nation its true essence. It is imperative that the
supremacy of Arabic be stressed by Jordanian society at all levels. Arabic should be used in all
stages of education. Attention must be given to translation and Arabisation to keep abreast of
accelerating scientific progress, and to the learning and teaching of other living languages.
SEVENTH: Respect for the mind, belief in dialogue, recognition of the right of others to
disagree, respect for the opinion of others, tolerance, and rejection of political and social
violence are basic characteristics of Jordanian society. Pursuant to this, there is no compulsion
in religion or recourse to fanaticism, sectarianism or regional bias.
EIGHTH: Jordanian men and women are equal under the law. There shall be no distinction
between them in rights and obligations regardless of difference in race, language or religion.
They shall exercise their constitutional rights and uphold the higher interest of the state and the
national ethic in such a manner as to ensure that the material and spiritual resources of
Jordanian society are freed and directed towards achieving the national objective of unity,
progress and building a better future.
NINTH: Strengthening the foundations of a state governed by the supremacy of the law, and
firming up the democratic process based on political pluralism are an obligation of the state's
institutions, of individual members of Jordanian society and all its other bodies.
TENTH: Political, party and intellectual pluralism is the means of strengthening democracy and
ensuring participation by the Jordanian people in administering the affairs of the state. It serves
to guarantee national unity and build a balanced civil society.
ELEVENTH: To be nationally committed is to respect the freedom of all citizens and to protect
the country's security, independence and progress. National commitment contributes to the
preservation of unity, the strengthening of the Jordanian people's sovereignty on their national
soil, and the protection of the people's integrity under conditions removed from all forms of
discrimination, fanaticism or introversion.
TWELFTH: National independence requires a liberation of the national will from all manner of
external pressure or hegemony. It is achieved and preserved through the constant and effective
exercise of a national political will at all levels. This requires the development of institutions
and systems and the acquisition of appropriate means and methods to effect modernisation and
progress in order to meet the challenges of the future, while at the same time preserving the
noble mores of Jordanian Arab society and taking pride in its innate traditions.
THIRTEENTH: The Jordanian Armed Forces are the country's protective shield and the
guarantors of its security and independence. The Arab Legion is in the forefront of the forces
entrusted with the task of liberation and the defence of Arab integrity. The Legion's strength
and effectiveness are enhanced through active support by the people and the popular army for
strengthening Jordanian national security. It is the responsibility of the state and society as a
whole to support the Armed Forces' capacity and preparedness and to provide the best possible
conditions for their development.
FOURTEENTH: An independent national economy is a true support of national independence,
security and progress. It is best achieved through self-reliance, development of latent national
capacities, rational use of national wealth and resources, as well as through strengthening all
components of the productive base, providing capable management, and moving towards a
stabilisation and integration of basic economic legislation, within a framework of social justice.
FIFTEENTH: Social justice for all Jordanians requires a range of social insurance schemes, an
updating of labour laws and a narrowing of income disparities in such a manner as to ensure
balance and social harmony and to provide security and stability for society as a whole.
SIXTEENTH: Respect for human rights, strengthening of democratic practices, guaranteeing a
continued balance in development and achieving administrative efficiency in the Kingdom are
fundamental national goals. They require a constant effort to promote a unified administrative
system for the Jordanian state and to ensure that local councils become answerable to central
authority for supervision and guidance purposes. They also require a strengthening of the
social, political and economic structures of the state through supporting the concept of local
administration in the various districts and governorates in such a manner as to provide
practical opportunities for the people to exercise self-government, enable continued close
coordination between governmental and popular bodies and lead to better democratic practices
through responsible participation within a framework of balanced rights and obligations.
SEVENTEENTH: Jordanian universities are an important part of the country's fabric. They
ought to function as beacons of intellectual enlightenment and scientific progress. To achieve
this, the universities must be provided with the requisites and guarantees of academic freedom.
They must be provided with the means to develop their curricula, keep abreast of knowledge,
develop their capacity for scientific research and enhance their role in developing Jordanian
society and meeting its needs. They must have the capacity to help build the country's
institutions, provide good instruction and qualify the country's youth to solve problems and
meet the challenges of the future.
EIGHTEENTH: The decade of the nineties is a decisive period for Jordan and the Arab World.
It is imperative that our nation must acquire the means to preserve its current state of
awakening and bring together the various components of its strength and solidarity in order to
meet the needs of the present as well as the challenges of the twenty-first century, as reflected in
the democratic revolution, the emphasis on human rights, the establishment of large economic
blocs, and the explosive impact of technology and informatics.
CHAPTER TWO
State Governed by Law and Political Pluralism
First: The State of Law and Political Pluralism
1.The State of Law is a democratic state committed to the principle of the supremacy of the law
and derives its legitimacy, authority and effectiveness from the free will of the people, and all
authorities within it are committed to providing legal, judicial and administrative guarantees to
protect the rights, integrity and basic freedoms of the individual, which rules were laid down
by Islam and confirmed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other
international covenants and treaties promulgated by the United Nations in this regard.
2.The Jordanian State is a State of Law in the modern sense of a democratic state. It is a state for
all citizens regardless of any differences of opinion or any pluralism of approach. It derives its
strength from an actual and declared application of the principles of equality, justice and equal
opportunities and from the provision of practical means enabling the Jordanian people to
participate in the decisions affecting their lives and their affairs in such a manner as to achieve
peace of mind, security, faith in the future, genuine concern for the institutions of the state and
pride in belonging therein.
Second: Basic Pillars of a State of Law
1.Adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution by the legislative, executive and judiciary
authorities in all their actions, within a framework of priority of the right.
2.Adherence to the principle of the supremacy of the law, within a framework of
comprehensive review by an independent judiciary.
3.Adherence, in the exercise of democracy, to the principles and requisites of social justice.
4.Ensuring that laws in general, and laws pertaining to political parties, elections and
publications in particular, are dedicated to safeguarding the citizens' basic rights and public
freedoms.
5.Adoption of the democratic dialogue as the basis of expressing the views, free from any form
of coercion or intellectual terrorism, at all official and public levels.
6.Adherence by all government institutions, in the exercise of their duties and services to the
public and entities to the principle of complete equality. Said institutions, whether civil or
military, should not be exploited by any group, party or faction for political or party purposes,
without prejudice to the rights of citizens to organise themselves politically, provided that all of
the above is considered as a basic condition for the success of the democratic system.
In order to strengthen the above pillars and to bolster the democratic structure of the Jordanian
state and society, it is imperative to work on ensuring the following:
1.Establishing, through a special law, an autonomous body to be called the Complaints Bureau
to exercise administrative inspection and review the performance of the administration and the
actions of individuals therein. The Bureau shall report to Parliament and the Council of
Ministers in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Constitution, laws and decrees
without prejudice to the independence or jurisdiction of the judiciary.
2.Establishing, through a special law, an autonomous body to update and develop legislation
based on studies and research conducted for that purpose. This body shall report to Parliament
and the Council of Ministers.
3.Establishing a Constitutional Court with the following jurisdiction:
a. Interpreting the provisions of the Jordanian Constitution in matters referred to it by the
Council of Ministers.
b. Deciding on matters referred to it by the courts with regard to constitutional issues
arising from cases entertained before these courts.
c. Deciding on disputes and challenges pertaining to the constitutionality of laws and
decrees which are brought before it by interested parties.
In all of the aforementioned instances, the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court shall be
limited to deciding on the constitutional aspect. Decisions by the Court shall be final and
binding on all state bodies and individuals.
4.Amalgamating legislation pertaining to state of emergency and state of extreme emergency
sanctioned by the Constitution into one law, which would make decisions by the Council of
Ministers declaring either state of emergency or specifying its duration subject to approval by
Parliament, and would in all cases place all administrative decisions taken by virtue of this
legislation subject to review by the High Court of Justice.
5.Restoring to Parliament the legislative powers of the Council of Ministers stipulated in
Articles 114 and 120 of the Constitution, in connection with decrees of public works, public
purchases and civil service.
6.Subjecting the budgets of public corporations to parliamentary approval. The budget of mixed
companies where public equity amounts to fifty percent or more shall be subject to subsequent
parliamentary review.
7.Taking steps to introduce constitutional amendments deemed necessary to meet development
needs and to repeal provisions in the Constitution which have lost their raison d'être.
Third: Guarantees of the Democratic Approach
The most important guarantees of the democratic approach and achievement of political
pluralism are the adherence to the following principles:
1 Respecting the fundamentals of democratic action by organised political groups and parties in
their general conduct since it constitutes a guarantee to justice and stability.
2 Strengthening the traits of tolerance and objectivity, respect for the beliefs of others and
groups in the exercise of political and party affairs, avoiding narrow personal conflicts and the
slander of individuals and entities.
3 Guaranteeing the basic freedoms of all citizens in such a manner as to protect the structure of
a democratic society, preserve the rights of individuals and ensure full freedom of expression
and its declaration with complete liberty within the limits of the Constitution.
4 Attaining equality, justice and equal opportunities for all citizens, male and female, without
discrimination.
5 Preserving the civilian and democratic character of the state, and regarding any attempt to
abolish or undermine this character as invalid as it would constitute a violation of the
Constitution and the pluralist principle and its perception.
Fourth: Principles and Limitations Governing the Establishment of Parties
1.Jordanians enjoy the right to establish and belong to political parties and groupings, provided
that their objectives are legitimate, their methods are peaceful and their statutes do not violate
the provisions of the Constitution. Laws regulating the operation of parties should not include
any provisions which overtly or implicitly call for abrogating the constitutional right to
establish political parties.
2.Political and party work in Jordan is based on the principle of pluralism of thought, opinion
and organisation and on securing the requisites of democratic competition and its legitimate
means.
3.A party must announce and declare its statutes and internal regulations which specify its
aims, financial resources and political, economic, social and cultural platforms.
4.The judiciary is solely empowered to decide on any infringement pertaining to the application
of the Parties Law.
5.Political parties shall, in their internal workings as well as in their programmes, approaches,
actions and public and party activities, adhere to the following principles:
a. Parties must employ democratic methods in their internal workings, choice of
leadership and in the exercise of their activities within a framework of democratic
dialogue and free competition among the political parties. The same shall apply to
relations and dealings by any party with other political parties and groupings as well as
with popular and constitutional institutions in a spirit of mutual respect for opposing
views.
b. There shall be no structural or financial affiliation by the leadership or members of any
party with any non-Jordanian. Also, no activities by any party or grouping shall be
conducted upon instructions or directions from any foreign state or body. Taking into
consideration what is stated in this paragraph and all principles and limitations
governing the organisation of parties, any provisions in the statute, internal regulations
or programmes of any licensed Jordanian party serving Palestine, Arab unity or Islamic
solidarity shall be regarded as a national Jordanian undertaking.
c. Any party in government or participating therein shall adhere to the principles of
equality and equal opportunities for all citizens and must regard ability and
qualifications as basic criteria for any appointment to public office.
d. In the matter of financial revenues, all parties shall rely on local, recognised, declared
and specified Jordanian resources. These shall be subject to financial audit and legal
review in the manner prescribed by law.
e. In matters of organisation, activities and orientation, all parties shall refrain from
organising or recruiting for party purposes within the ranks of the Jordanian Armed
Forces and security departments or establishing military or paramilitary (militia)
groups of any description whatsoever.
f. All parties, whatever their form of organisation, shall maintain premises with known
and declared addresses. Parties shall not use state, public, charitable or religious
institutions or bodies for the benefit of any party or grouping. Nor shall they involve
any such institutions in any political or factional conflicts.
CHAPTER THREE
Jordan's National Security
Jordan's national security depends to a very large extent on the resolve and inner strength of
Jordanian society to ensure the defence and independent will of the country, and to provide the
citizens, wherever they may reside, with the means of decent living, personal and financial
security and psychological and social stability. Jordan's physical location and political stance,
which place it in the front line of confrontation with the Zionist threat, require it to harness its
resources, efforts and capabilities in order to meet the challenge by defending its existence and
protecting its national security by all available means.
This being the case, Jordan's national security shall be based on the following considerations:
1. Jordan's security is part of Arab national security. In good times and bad, each has a
direct bearing on the other. This makes Jordan's steadfastness and strength indivisible
from those of the Arab nation, and emphasises the Arab dimension with regard to
Jordan's strength, security and stability.
2. In its approach to national security, Jordanian policy springs from a recognition of the
dangers of division and dependency which threaten the political, economic and social
security of Jordan and the Arab World. This calls for a national policy emphasising
independence in all fields, strengthening Jordanian society from within, increasing
commitment to the homeland, instilling in the youth a spirit of sacrifice and faith in the
justice of the nation's great causes and informing them of the nature, aims and alliances
of the enemy and the danger they pose to the future of the Arab nation and its holy
places. It also requires emphasis on the duty of Arabs and Muslims to support Jordan's
efforts to preserve its security and protect Arab and Muslim holy places.
3. Jordanian national security is also dependent on inculcating the concept of
professionalism in the armed forces, broadening their base, developing their
capabilities and rallying the resources of the country and people to their support, to
enable them to perform their duty of protecting the country and contributing to its
growth and development. This would achieve greater cohesion among the various
segments of society and a greater commitment to the preservation of the country's
security and achievements.
4. Increased attention must be given to developing the various arms of national security to
enable them to carry out their duties in the best manner possible, in accordance with
their respective functions with regard to external and internal security. This must be
done within a framework of respect for the dignity, freedom and constitutional rights of
the citizenry coupled with a moral responsibility of promoting an atmosphere of social
peace and mutual confidence between the security forces and the people in all walks of
life.
5. Economic and social security for all segments of the Jordanian people is an essential
component of national security. To achieve this, greater reliance must be placed on
Jordan's own resources to enable the country to meet the people's basic needs in a
manner that would accord due respect to the dignity of the individual and contribute to
his material and psychological well-being as well as to his means of livelihood.
6. Strengthening democracy is an essential component contributing to a deeper
commitment to the homeland and greater confidence in its institutions. It also
contributes to solidifying the union of the Jordanian people and further protecting their
national security. This must be achieved through providing the conditions for real
participation by all citizens in an atmosphere of social justice, equal opportunity and a
proper balance between rights and obligations.
CHAPTER FOUR
The Economy
The Jordanian economy is constrained by several factors which impede its growth and
development. Most prominent of these are: scarce mineral, energy and water resources, limited
area of arable land, high rates of population growth, small local market (in the absence of a
workable concept of Arab economic integration), political instability in the region and an
increasing national defence burden.
These constraints have led to a heavy dependence on external assistance and loans. However,
the economy has achieved high rates of growth which have left a mark in varying degrees on
many aspects of Jordanian life.
With the growth of the role of government in economic activities, it was natural for it to take on
the responsibility of providing the infrastructure in the various regions of the Kingdom.
However, in the absence of a comprehensive economic policy, proper management and
effective oversight of public performance, economic sectors have shown uneven growth. The
resultant income disparity has led to a contraction of the middle classes. At the same time, there
has been a noticeable rise in prestige projects, conspicuous consumption by the public and
private sectors, extravagant use of resources, a large increase in the public debt and a drop in
economic growth rates.
In light of the above, the future outlook for economic growth and social development must be
guided by the following:
1. The Jordanian economy must be based on respect for private ownership and
encouragement of private enterprise. On the other hand, natural resources and strategic
projects must be the property of the state, with a full right to their management and
supervision in the public interest. The state must also retain the prerogative of
regulating the economy and allocating resources in accordance with national priorities.
2. There must be a clear and well-defined developmental strategy based on the concept of
self-reliance, release of the innovative spirit in society, a high degree of respect for work
and productivity, reconstitution and development of the rural economy, harnessing
and rational use of natural and human resources, development of the national
productive base, improvement of services, upgrading of public administration and
strengthening of financial and quality control.
3. Optimal use must be made of all available resources, coupled with the utilisation of
appropriate scientific and technological means for improving productivity in a manner
that would meet the needs of the citizens, provide employment opportunities, improve
and diversify income and raise the standard of living.
4. Economic decisions must be declared, legal, objective, institutionally-based and free of
any personal interest or individual consideration.
5. Reliance must be placed on up-to-date and accurate data in the formulation of socioeconomic
policy and in the decision-making process. To that end, prompt data
collection, documentation and publication must be emphasised.
6. Emphasis must be placed on the right of establishing trade unions in all economic
sectors, including agriculture, and the regular updating of labour and trade union
legislation to ensure an minimum wage and continuous training of the labour force,
and to regulate relations between employers, workers and government within a
balanced framework of rights, obligations and roles.
7. Employment opportunities must be provided to all citizens. Policies and measures must
be adopted to achieve this objective, particularly through national plans encouraging
labour-intensive economic activities, better working conditions, an improved
educational system geared towards the needs of society and a greater social value
attached to work of any kind.
8. Combating poverty and its effects must be made a strategic goal of the Jordanian state
and a national responsibility requiring the provision of employment opportunities to all
who can and want to work, with first priority to be given to Jordanians. Also, there
must be a just regional and social distribution of services and development projects
with the objective of meeting basic needs, marginalising poverty and reducing its
impact on the individual and society.
9. Expatriate Jordanians must be regarded as part of the social and economic structure of
the state and, hence, measures must be taken to ensure a better knowledge of their
conditions, more effective communication with them and closer links with their home
base. This must be achieved through watching over their interests in the workplace,
ensuring a proper exercise of their citizens' rights and facilitating the fulfilment of their
obligations and commitments to the state.
10. Water must be regarded as a basic factor on which the future of development in Jordan
very heavily depends. This requires a clear exercise by the state over ownership,
sovereignty, preservation, development, management, storage, transportation and use
of water resources within a set of clear national policies and priorities.
11. The roles of all economic sectors—private, public, mixed and cooperative— must be
integrated, and objective conditions must be provided for their growth, with due
recognition to the role of each sector. Performance must be evaluated according to
defined economic and social considerations. Financial exemptions enjoyed by public
companies and institutions which operate on a commercial basis must be eliminated,
while ensuring that no conflict arises with the provisions or objectives of the
Encouragement of Investment Law.
12. The centrality to the national economy of the agricultural sector in Jordan must be
recognised and accorded the priority and attention it deserves. Also, the roles of
agricultural institutions must be activated and integrated in the areas of combating
desertification and urban encroachment, and developing and disseminating
agricultural research and extension. Agro-industries, productivity, marketing, and
livestock development must be regarded as an essential element of national policies
aimed at achieving food security.
13. Stress must be placed on industries with a high value-added element arising from the
use of local materials and other components, and favourable conditions and incentives
must be provided for their growth and development. Competition must be promoted
among the various national industries.
14. Services utilising domestic expertise must be developed and marketed, as they
constitute a basic component of the national economy. Also, in so far as tourism is a
major source of national income, the tourist potential must be developed to the full
through marketing, development of tourist and archaeological sites, encouraging
domestic tourism, cultural activities and Jordanian folklore, and supporting traditional
trades in all regions of the Kingdom.
15. Economic and financial legislation must be unambiguous and complementary in
nature. It must be updated in line with evolving domestic and external variables.
Savings must be encouraged and a favourable investment climate provided. Procedures
must be streamlined.
16. Financial and tax legislation must be regularly updated while ensuring a measure of
flexibility to meet the evolving economic and social needs of Jordanian society, because
such legislation is an important means of developing and regulating the national
economy and a basic requirement for balanced national development which leads to
reducing income disparity and achieving social justice.
17. Public borrowing by the state and its various institutions must be regulated in
accordance with the Kingdom's priorities and basic needs. Domestic and external loans,
and any other loans guaranteed by the government, must be made subject to
parliamentary approval.
18. There must be close cooperation and coordination between government bodies and
specialised social institutions in the ecological field, as all citizens have a right to a clean
and balanced environment. Protection of the environment from pollution is a national
responsibility towards present and future generations. Awareness must be
disseminated to ensure an environmentally sensitive public outlook and a high level of
public understanding of pollution problems. Measures must be taken to achieve a
balance between environmental needs and the development imperative. Criteria must
be set and legislation enacted to deal with the negative ecological impact of certain
types of development projects.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Social Aspect
1. Jordanian society derives its mores and values from the Arab and Islamic system of values, as
well as from the universal human ethic. Relationships among its people are based on the bond
of citizenship. Societal development rests on participation by all segments and institutions in
the process of construction and production, with the common objective of achieving integrated
social growth under conditions of freedom, equality and social justice.
2. The system is also based on respect for the individual as pointed out in the Almighty's
dictum: "We have bestowed blessings on Adam's children." State institutions must, therefore,
ensure the dignity and rights of all citizens, as guaranteed by the Constitution and affirmed by
international conventions. Individuals and groups must play their part in protecting these
rights and observing the principles of justice, equality and equal opportunity for all.
3. The family is the principal block of society. It is the natural environment for the rearing,
education and personality growth of the individual. The official and popular institutions of the
state must provide for the formation, cohesion and well-being of the family. They must assist it
in the task of providing future generations with a sound upbringing.
4. Good motherhood is the basis of good childhood, to which every child has a natural right.
State and society must provide special care for mothers and children, ensuring working
mothers' rights to maternity leave and child-care facilities, including health and social
guarantees, good working conditions and appropriate support amenities.
5. Children have the right to expect the best possible level of care and protection from parents as
well as from the state. This must be geared towards the development of their independent and
cooperative personalities, without any discrimination between males and females.
6. Women are men's partners and equals in contributing to the growth and development of
Jordanian society. This requires an affirmation of women's constitutional and legal right to
equality, guidance, training and employment as a means of enabling them to play their proper
role in the growth and development of society.
7. Youth constitute both the future of society and its renewable human wealth. The state must
draw up policies and national programmes aimed at harnessing the resources of the country's
youth, qualifying them for responsibility, productive work, innovation and creativity,
protecting them from delinquency and directing their creative energies towards constructive
development.
8. The handicapped have a right to special care, education, training, rehabilitation and
employment, thus enabling them to overcome their difficulties and become productive
members of Jordanian society.
9. Attention must be paid to the concept of social partnership in Jordanian society through
expanding social benefits and developing the Zakah (Alms) Law with the aim of regulating it,
unifying and upgrading collection and ensuring the achievement of its basic objectives.
10. Voluntary work must be based on the concept of national commitment and social
partnership. Attention must be paid to the establishment of voluntary societies and clubs and
providing them with incentives conducive to effective participation, to strengthening the
positive values of Jordanian society and to rejuvenating the Arab and Islamic traditions of
partnership, amity and altruism.
CHAPTER SIX
Culture, Education, Science and Information
First: Culture
In its intellectual, artistic and creative aspects, Arab and Islamic culture is the fountainhead of
Jordanian national culture through which the quality of Jordanian life is enhanced. It is a
symbol of the Arab nation's sturdiness, the source of its material and moral strength. and the
epitome of its unity and steadfastness in the face of foreign cultural incursions. Jordanian
culture is also part of the aspirations, issues and challenges of contemporary Arab culture.
This predicates the following:
1. The Arab language is the nation's tongue and its means of expressing its cultural
identity. It is the repository of the nation's thought, learning and values, and the vehicle
of knowledge transfer. It must be preserved and developed. Translation from and into
Arabic must be activated. Scientific and academic institutions must be urged to
participate in the process of Arabisation and publication in Arabic in all literary and
technical fields.
2. Care must be extended to preserving, expounding and documenting the nation's
heritage through sound scientific methods. It must be published and disseminated
within the means available, and in cooperation with Arab, Islamic and international
organisations concerned with the nation's heritage and contemporary culture.
3. Pride in Arab and Islamic history must be strengthened, recalling the positive
contribution of the Arab nation at the global level. Jordan's history must be
documented, its archaeology preserved and its facts studied, taught and expounded.
The role of the national will of the Jordanian people in shaping its present and its future
must be highlighted.
4. Attention must be paid to enhancing the cultural attainments of Jordanian citizens in all
regions of the Kingdom through promoting and developing national culture by all
available means, enabling meaningful participation in the process of comprehensive
cultural growth.
5. Due care must be extended to the instruments of disseminating national culture,
including libraries, data bases, theatres, exhibitions and museums, projecting the
cultural achievements of the Jordanian people.
6. Care must be extended to all forms of Jordanian folklore, as they constitute a creative
and enriching part of national culture. They must be brought abreast of the modern age
in a manner that would serve to integrate the nation's cultural fabric.
7. The right of Jordanian thinkers, men of letters, artists and poets to ready access to
various cultures must be ensured as a means of enriching and invigorating the national
culture—without detriment to Arab and Islamic values.
8. Copyright must be respected. Legislation protecting copyright and patents must be
updated.
Second: Education
Jordanian education is an evolving and integrated system. Its philosophical underpinning is
expressive of the nation's thought and values. It is based on the enduring tenets of the Islamic
faith, the supreme values of the Arab nation and the Jordanian national experience.
From this grows the following:
1. The educational policy in Jordan must ensure an integrated spiritual, physical,
psychological, mental and social growth of an individual who is aware of his rights,
cognisant of his obligations, committed to his country, proud of his nation, imbued
with the scientific spirit and democratic values, believing in human rights and in the
principles of justice, goodness and equality, and capable of being usefully productive
and creatively enterprising.
2. Education of the young must be based on faith in God, in the authentic character of the
Arab nation and in its amenability to renewal and creativity in all walks of life.
3. The educational system must endeavour to promote independent and creative thinking
through activating incentives for work, seriousness of purpose, precision and
distinction as well as through directing education towards equipping the individual for
the future. To achieve this, attention must be paid to the upgrading of intellectual
processes and psychological stamina to meet future challenges and dangers. Sound
methodologies of scientific and critical thought must be developed by upgrading the
skills of extrapolation, deduction, comprehension and rational interaction with
knowledge.
4. The educational system must be linked with the requirements of production. The
educational process must produce the qualified manpower that the country needs now
and in the future.
5. The educational system must be both comprehensive and flexible. It must make special
provisions for the gifted, who must be given opportunities commensurate with their
capabilities and aptitudes to ensure that society reaps the benefit of their potential
contribution. Similarly, care must be extended to educating the handicapped,
integrating them into the system at an early age and providing them with productive
skills.
6. Arabic must be the language of instruction at all levels and in all fields. To this end,
methods of teaching Arabic must be developed, as must the approach of teaching it to
speakers of other languages. Also, the learning of other living languages must be
stressed to enable the youth to familiarise themselves with literary, scientific and other
output in those languages and to maintain contact with other peoples.
7. The teaching profession must be accorded the attention it deserves in order for it to
occupy a suitable place among the other professions. Teachers should receive proper
training. They must be given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making
process. Their educational attainments and standard of living must be improved.
Third : Science and Technology
Science and technology have a central role in the development of society, as well as in solving
social and economic problems, strengthening Jordanian and Arab security, enabling society to
deal with changing conditions and contributing to world civilisation.
There are several requisites for an effective contribution by science and technology:
1. A clear political decision and national will must exist to acquire, transfer, develop and
utilise technology to meet the country's needs on the basis of careful planning which
relies on indigenous institutions and on an advanced system of education.
2. The scientific method must govern the people's way of thinking. It must be utilised for
solving problems and enhancing the ability of Jordanian society to transform raw data
into a system of knowledge which can be applied in various fields. National data banks
must be established for this purpose.
3. Special emphasis must be placed on the teaching of science and mathematics, with due
attention to their application, at all levels and in all types of educational institutions.
4. Society as a whole must acquire the culture of science and technology in order to be
able to interact in an effective and rational manner with advanced technological
processes.
5. A climate of academic freedom must be provided, together with the resources for
advanced scientific research. Also, research must be geared towards meeting the
developmental needs of Jordan in all areas. Arabic must be the medium of research and
development activities as well as a vehicle for innovation and publication.
6. Jordan's natural resources must be developed, whilst guarding against the negative
effects of technology, preserving the ecological balance and protecting the living
environment from pollution.
Fourth: Information and Communications
Rapidly accelerating advances in science and technology, coupled with the effects of the
communications revolution, have given communications and the mass media a principal role in
shaping knowledge, convictions and attitudes. The mass media also play an important role in
strengthening the democratic process.
The following are requisites in this field:
1. Jordan's information philosophy must be based on the principles of freedom, national
respon sibility, respect for the truth and regard for the values of the Arab and Islamic
nation.
2. Freedom of thought and expression, and access to information, must be viewed as a
right of every citizen, as well as of the press and other mass media. It is a right
enshrined in the Constitution and should under no circumstances be abridged or
violated.
3. Official and popular institutions must contribute to the training of personnel in the
information field with a view to enabling them to perform their tasks objectively and
impartially.
4. Citizens must have access to facts and information from legitimate transmission and
publication sources within Jordan and abroad. Censorship of classified material should
not prevent the citizens from exercising this right.
5. Jordanian citizens and political groups must have the right to use the national mass
media to state their opinions and give expression to their cultural, intellectual, technical
and scientific creativity. The state must draw up policies to ensure the exercise of this
right.
6. Information and communications media must serve as channels of conveying the
country's image, culture and achievements to the world, and as a means of transferring
new knowledge and cultural and scientific advances to the citizens. This requires an
enhancement of national capabilities and recourse to expert services.
7. Information media must have a formative role in shaping citizen attitudes of
commitment to their country and nation and pride in their Arab and Islamic heritage.
This function must be exercised in a manner that would integrate the roles of the
family, schools and places of worship in developing citizens' awareness, knowledge
and attitudes and would contribute to preserving social harmony and national unity
while countering the harmful effects of hostile propaganda.
8. All information media must strive to provide a climate of freedom conducive to the
growth of Jordanian society through enlightened knowledge and honest reporting.
They must shun any encroachment on the freedom of individuals or their personal
lives.
9. General policies of the information media in Jordan must strengthen respect for the
human mind and intelligence and for the individual's right to freedom of expression.
They must provide an appropriate climate to encourage creativity and innovation.
10. The state must guarantee the right and freedom of Jordanian individuals, groups and
institutions to own and publish newspapers in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. Legislation must be enacted to regulate the financing of newspapers with
the aim of protecting them from external influence.
11. The circulation of news and data must be regarded as an indivisible part of the freedom
of the press and information. The state must guarantee free access to information to the
extent that it does not jeopardise national security or the national interest. It must enact
legislation to protect journalists and other information personnel in the fulfilment of
their duties and to provide them with material and psychological security.
12. The mass media must be committed to the service of the country as a whole. They must
not be used to propagate the particular philosophy of any political party or group or to
give publicity to the work of individuals in any government in power. Citizens must be
given the opportunity to participate in drawing up mass-media policies through special
boards to be established for this purpose.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Jordanian-Palestinian Relationship
The facts of the close historical and geographic relationship between Jordan and Palestine over
the ages, together with the nature of the national affiliation and cultural position of Jordanians
and Palestinians in the present and the future, have endowed this relationship with a special
and distinctive character. It is bolstered by the strong ties and deep common interests that exist
between them. It is imperative, therefore, that this relationship be preserved and strengthened
in the racist, Zionist and imperialist threat which endangers the existence, civilisation and
sacred heritage of the Arab nation and marks Jordan out as a target as it had previously
targeted Palestine.
In the light of these facts, the Jordanian-Palestinian relationship must be based on the following
principles:
First: The Palestinian Arab identity is a political identity forged by struggle. It is not and must
not be contradictory to the Arab Jordanian identity. The only contradiction lies with the Zionist
settler programme. Just as the national Palestinian identity is the antithesis of the Zionist
programme and hence struggles to dismantle it, the Jordanian national identity, viewed from
this perspective, is also an antithesis of the Zionist programme and hence fortifies Jordan
against Zionist designs and claims. In this light, Jordan and Palestine are one Arab coin struck
by their shared struggle to stand up to the expansionist Zionist programme and firmly reject the
alternative homeland conspiracy.
Second: Political variables at the Arab and international levels, together with developments in
the Jordanian Palestinian arena, resulted in the severing of administrative and legal ties with
the West Bank, with which the Palestine Liberation Organisation agreed. They also led to the
declaration of an independent Palestinian state under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation
Organisation and to recognition by Jordan of the Palestinian state. This has given rise to a new
reality which emphasises the special and distinctive nature of the Jordanian Palestinian
relationship and establishes the conditions for placing it on a right footing and basing it on a
clear set of principles.
Third: On this basis, the Jordanian-Palestinian relationship must not be understood or exploited
under any conditions whatsoever to imply any curtailment of the rights of citizenship or to lead
to a weakening of the Jordanian state from the inside or to create conditions leading to the
realisation of Zionist designs to make Jordan an alternative to the Palestinian homeland. From
this perspective, a commitment to Jordan's national security becomes the responsibility of all
citizens and serves to emphasise their continued struggle and sacrifice for the liberation of
Palestine and the preservation of Jordan and its identity.
Fourth: Since the unity-infused relationship between the states of Jordan and Palestine is a
matter of future inevitability, the maintenance of this relationship requires respect for the
choices to be made by Jordanians and Palestinians in achieving the best formulations for union
between them as a model for comprehensive Arab unity.
On the basis of the above, national Jordanian unity is the solid base on which close relations
must exist among the citizens in the Jordanian state. In addition, because it is impossible to
distinguish on the ground between the Jordanian Arab people regardless of their origins, this
unity must be protected and strengthened in such a manner as to bolster Jordan's sturdiness,
preserve its national security, defend the domestic front, guarantee equal opportunities for all
citizens without discrimination and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests as enshrined
in the Constitution.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jordanian, Arab, Islamic and International Relations
Jordan is an indivisible part of the Arab and Islamic nation. Hence, its national identity is Arab
just as Islam is the faith of the nation, the fountainhead of its civilisation and the source of
values which govern its conduct.
In the light of these facts, the people, leadership and democratic institutions of Jordan firmly
believe in the inevitability of union among the Arab states and aspire to achieve union by all
legitimate means. They also aspire to establishing effective Arab-Islamic solidarity and
contributing to the formulation of a new and balanced world order in which international
relations are built on equivalent interests, respect for the will of the peoples and their right to
independence, freedom and security, and a sharing in the achievement of progress and
protection of human rights—free from hegemony or the usurpation of political decisions.
To achieve these aims, Jordan is guided by its own experience as part of the Arab nation, as well
as by its realistic and future view of the importance of the Arab and Islamic dimensions of the
world scene. Jordan believes that the achievement of its national Arab objectives requires a
unity-based Arab programme in accordance
with the following principles:
First: The Arab homeland, in its historical, geographic, material and cultural aspects, is the
natural home of the Arab nation. Arab unity is the fundamental base. It is also the real response
to the current state of disarray. It is the objective solution to the economic and social problems
and issues arising from this disarray. It is the path of transcending division, backwardness and
the best means for a better future for the Arab nation.
Second: The nature of the challenges imposed on Jordan and the Arab nation and the
magnitude of the threat confronting the Arab homeland demand a positive response to the
national sentiment which permeates all regions of the Arab homeland. They further require a
will to achieve Arab unity in order to defend Arab existence and identity and protect the
common national interests of the Arab nation in all Arab states.
Third: The Arab society to which Jordan aspires is one that is informed by the democratic
principle, believes in Arab unity and subscribes to the conviction that the strategic resources of
the Arab homeland belong to the entire Arab nation and must be placed in the service of Arab
society to build its economy and strengthen its national security.
Achieving these ends requires the following:
1. The democratic principle must be upheld, preserved, promoted and disseminated. Arab
national security must be strengthened in all its dimensions and at all levels through a
proper understanding of the requirements and conditions of this objective.
2. There must be a commitment to the great causes and national priorities of the Arab
people. Every Arab country must clarify its position in this regard. The degree of clarity
and sincerity of these positions is the only objective measure of state policies and
national intentions.
3. A form of unity must be sought among those Arab states believing in unity, in
accordance with objective state and national criteria and in such a manner as to protect
the interests of the citizens of each state in the light of its own specific character.
4. Disarray among states must be transcended in all its forms. Resort must be sought in
comprehensive economic and social development within a national Arab framework.
Economic complementarities must be established to ensure collective self-sufficiency
through the upgrading of human resources, development of natural resources and
strengthening of joint Arab action.
5. Pan-Arab plans and policies must be drawn up to prepare the Arab nation in all Arab
countries for the task of liberating Arab territories, with Palestine at the top of the
agenda. Also, resources and capabilities of the Arab homeland must be harnessed and
organised to achieve a unity of purpose, preserve the dignity of the Arab citizens and
make possible the restoration of usurped Arab rights.
6. Arab culture, together with national and Islamic feeling and commitment, must be
nurtured and promoted by Jordanian society. Inspiration must be sought from the
pioneering legacy of the Arab nation as a means of reinvigorating the Arab cultural role
on the world stage.
7. A clear and stable foundation must be established for closer Jordanian-Arab- Islamic
relations on the basis of the nation's faith, values and common history. The great causes
of the Arab and Islamic worlds must be brought to the fore in the face of the challenges
and dangers which threaten the interests of the Arab and Islamic nations to an equal
degree.
8. Jordan's international relations in all fields must be based on the principles of equality,
mutual respect and balanced interests, and also on the basis of the attitudes of
individual states to Arab causes, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue.
9. Jordan must contribute to the formulation of international relations in accordance with
fixed criteria based on respect for the freedom, independence and right of peoples to
self-determination, in addition to principles of right, justice, equality, a just peace
among nations, a respect for human rights and a rejection of discrimination and
international hegemony in all its forms.