Jordan Cracks Down on Online Speech with New Cybercrime Law
King Abdullah II has signed off on a controversial cybercrime bill aimed at silencing online voices seen as threats to national unity. The law, set to come into force within days, has sparked outrage among human rights groups and opposition MPs alike.
Harsh Penalties for Social Media Posts
The new legislation targets online content that authorities deem immoral, disrespectful to religion, or harmful to national cohesion. Offenders face hefty fines and potential jail time. The law also bans publishing police officers’ names or images online and restricts certain ways of staying anonymous on the web.
Parliament Approves After Amendments
The Senate passed the bill with tweaks, allowing judges to choose between fines or prison, rather than handing down both penalties together. The lower house had already given the green light last month.
Rights Groups and Allies Hit Out
A coalition of 14 rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, slammed the bill as “draconian.” They warn its vague wording hands the government a blank cheque to muzzle free speech and crush dissent.
“Such ambiguity could empower the executive branch to penalise individuals exercising their freedom of expression,” warned the groups.
The United States, Jordan’s biggest donor and key ally, has also criticised the move. This latest crackdown follows several internet blackouts, including a high-profile December ban on TikTok after protests went viral online.
Human Rights Watch’s 2022 report accused Jordanian authorities of mounting a “systematic campaign” against protesters and journalists, aiming to silence critics and curb peaceful opposition. With the new cybercrime bill now law, concerns mount over the grim future for free speech and democracy in Jordan.
