The Jordanian authorities continue the arbitrary detention of teacher and political activist Yamam Al-Tawalbah by the General Intelligence Department for nearly a week, without issuing any official statement clarifying the reasons for his arrest, announcing any legal charges against him, or disclosing whether he has been brought before a competent judicial authority to determine the legality of his detention.
This is not the first time Al-Tawalbah has been detained, as he had previously been arrested on multiple occasions due to his activism calling for political and union rights. This raises serious concerns that his current detention is linked to the exercise of his legitimate rights, rather than being based on specific, disclosed legal charges.
Detaining individuals without stating the reasons or providing effective judicial oversight is a clear violation of the right to liberty and personal security, and undermines the principle of due process, which requires that a detainee be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest, granted access to legal counsel, and presented within a set timeframe before an independent judicial authority to determine the legality of their detention.
Furthermore, peaceful political and union activity constitutes a fundamental part of the right to public participation and must not be grounds for arrest or detention unless it is associated with criminal acts defined by clear legal provisions. Any restrictions on these rights outside of the judicial framework are considered a grave infringement of civil and political rights and erode trust in the justice system and rule of law.
The case of Yamam Al-Tawalbah’s detention underscores the urgent need to respect legal safeguards and ensure that detention is not used as a tool of intimidation or suppression. It is imperative to protect fundamental rights and uphold the principle that all security measures must be subject to judicial oversight and governed by the rule of law.
