Amman, In line with the EU-Jordan Association Agreement and EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities 2021-2027, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the European Union held the thirteenth meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratisation and Governance on 6 and 7 March 2023 in Amman.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Raghad Al-Saqqa, Director of Human Rights and Human Security Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and Alessio Cappellani, Head of Division MENA.5 (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) of the Middle East and North Africa Directorate at the European External Action Service.
The EU and Jordan representatives held a political dialogue on Jordan-EU relations, regional and multilateral affairs.
The EU in this context commended Jordan’s leading role in hosting large number of refugees, including from Syria, and confirmed its commitment to continue supporting both refugee and host communities in Jordan.
Both parties underlined the importance of preserving the rules-based order, multilateralism, respect for international law and principles of the UN Charter.
The EU and Jordan held a discussion on human rights and fundamental freedoms and discussed strengthening good governance, the rule of law, democratic reform and respect for human rights, as well as cooperation in multilateral human rights fora.
The EU welcomed Jordan’s political modernization process, notably the adoption of the revised Law on Political Parties and Law on Elections, aiming at empowering women and youth to effectively participate in decision-making and enhancing their role in public life, and expressed readiness to support Jordan in its implementation.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the implementation of Jordan’s National Human Rights Action Plan 2016-2025.
The EU and Jordan underlined the important role that civil society organisations play in promoting human rights, socio-economic development and prosperity. The EU and Jordan also noted the importance of promoting an enabling environment for the civil society.
Jordan, in line with its relevant international obligations, and the EU agreed to continue working together to achieve further progress in the promotion and protection of human rights towards more gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, combatting all forms of discrimination, the elimination of gender-based violence, as well as promoting rights of the child and rights of people with disabilities.
The EU reconfirmed its commitment to continue supporting Jordan’s ongoing efforts in further enhancing the judicial system.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to uphold human rights, democratic principles, rule of law and good governance, agreed that there are remaining challenges and discussed efforts to continue addressing them.
Source: Jordan News Agency