UN Human Rights Council 11th Session
Statement by the Delegation of the United States
June 11, 2009
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Jordanian delegation and to Mr. Hyassat.
The United States would like to commend Jordan for the steps it has taken to promote universal human rights and human welfare, such as its efforts regarding human trafficking, curriculum reforms, training programs, and awareness campaigns. Along with other delegations, we hope these initiatives will continue and expand.
We note the concern documented in the Working Group report by a number of delegations with regard to honor crimes, and support recommendations aimed at strengthening legislation to protect women from violence and ensuring that perpetrators of honor crimes are prosecuted and receive sentences that reflect the gravity of their crimes. We appreciate Jordan’s willingness to closely examine this issue.
The United States shares the concerns enumerated by several delegations about the Law on Associations passed in 2008 and supports recommendations that Jordan enact amendments or revisions that would provide civil society groups with the broadest possible freedom of assembly. We welcome Jordan’s formation of a committee to work with civil society on promoting modifications to this law.
Thank you.