Jordanian security authorities have continued to detain Dr Nidal Samrin, a specialist in general surgery, laparoscopy, and bariatric surgery, since 22 October 2025. To date, no official statement has been issued clarifying the reasons for his arrest or any charges brought against him.
Dr Samrin is well-known for his participation in Jordanian medical delegations to the Gaza Strip during the recent Israeli aggression, where he contributed to humanitarian and medical relief efforts for the injured, earning him wide respect within both the medical and broader community.
His continued detention without any formal charges or referral to the judiciary constitutes a violation of judicial transparency and of the right to a fair trial, as guaranteed by Article 8 of the Jordanian Constitution, which states: “No person shall be arrested, detained, or imprisoned except in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
This action also breaches international human rights standards, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Jordan is a signatory, which guarantees every individual the right to liberty and security, and protection from arbitrary arrest.
Legally speaking, the absence of official disclosure regarding Dr Samrin’s place of detention and the nature of the charges, if any, represents a violation of due process. It denies him the right to legal representation and family contact, which are essential guarantees in any just legal system.
Furthermore, his ongoing detention without judicial oversight undermines public trust in the rule of law and raises serious concerns about extra-judicial practices.
This incident highlights the urgent need to review Jordan’s administrative and security detention policies and to ensure that all agencies strictly adhere to constitutional and human rights standards designed to protect individuals from abuse. The law, at its core, should serve to safeguard human dignity, not to curtail freedom without legitimate cause or independent oversight.
