In Jordan, a fight in Parliament during a debate on gender equality

Jordanian deputies came to blows Tuesday, December 28, which resulted in the interruption of a session of Parliament, during a debate relating to gender equality as part of a constitutional reform.

The government wishes to amend the Constitution, and in particular to include the mention “Jordanian” in chapter II, entitled “Rights and duties of Jordanians”, which relates in particular to the equal rights of citizens. Several deputies opposed this modification, judging it “Useless”, according to the Al-Mamlaka channel, which broadcast the session.

“It’s ‘eib’ for us to add the word Jordanian, said one of them, Raed Smeirat, using an Arabic term with very negative connotations, which could be translated in this context by ” shame “ Where “Dishonor”.

These remarks angered the head of Parliament, Abdelkarim Al-Daghmi, who demanded an apology from Mr. Smeirat. Another MP, Suleiman Abou Yahya, for his part, asked Mr. Al-Daghmi to adjourn the session, but he refused, attracting a “You don’t understand anything! “ from Mr. Abou Yahya. The head of parliament then asked him to leave the room, following which a fight broke out between several deputies, according to images broadcast live, as Mr. Al-Daghmi left the assembly. The session was finally postponed to Wednesday.

Other constitutional amendments to be debated include the creation of a “National Security Council” and the reduction of the term of office of the head of parliament from two years to one year. The Constitution, promulgated in 1952 by the grandfather of King Abdullah II, has already been amended twenty-nine times, past changes having given, according to experts, more powers to the king, to the detriment of the legislature.

Reporting : In Jordan, women in search of work and financial autonomy

The World with AFP

source site-29