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hire therein, and the human {JDHR in 1948 or in 1776
rights situation in general. We with the American Bill of
respond very proactively to all Rights, with the American
reports that are published by Constitution or in 1789 with
the international media or the French Revolution-or
NGOs. Most of the time they evenwithMagna Carta, which
tell half-tniths-their perspec- we recognize. All these texts
tive is always from the angle are taught at our schools. We
r of the glass half empty, rather also have our-own texts that
than half full-but
are equally pertinent, and we
we tiy to
make good use even of this. are proud of them. The Quran
The authorities usually take is not only a Holy Book but it
the reports by international contains a marvellous bill of
media and NGOs into consi- rights.
deration and act on the factual
information therein. Q: Do you feel that people
see people come and preach mental freedoms established do not know about your
high andlofty noble ideals, but under King Abdullah II In general, we have a satisfac- rich heritage?
when it comes to reality, they demonstrat'ng the same open tory record, but we continue to
adopt different stands because and caig spirit his deceased improve it despite the fact that Yes. But, perhaps, it's parkly
of the real politik, because of father late King Hussein had. we are living in a very un- our mistake. In the past,

considerations of national There is in place the necessary stable region. Jordanhas taken Orientalists came to the region
interest. It can be quite com- institutions, legislations and in a huge niunber of Iraqi refii- to probe and study Arab &
forting, especially when you policies. At the same time, we gees, but unfortunately the Islamic culhu'e. But with tis

see what has been done in are living in a very difficult media are not paying attention current culture of
favour of the disadvantaged- region. I'm not hying to fu'id to tis. International media consiunerism and fast food,
the disabled or indigenous excuses. We have made some and NGOs register short- people no longer have time to
people. But it can also be mistakes due mainly to the comings, mishaps or gaps go back and read old manus-
disturbing when you see that environment in which we live. only. Achievements and cripts, unless they are like you,
the international community Sometimes we may exagger- reforms usually do not atkract because you like to visit old
fails to collectively act on ate or act too caut'ously inpro- attention. places and leam from history.
some chronic questions. tecting people's lives, wich Jordan is rich in history, both
may impeach or mgc Q: In your country, you modern and ancient. We
Q: You are trying to do other's rights. Sometimes you have Petra and other his- would like people to come
good, but the institution may iu'iintentionally undemii- torical sites going back and visit Petra, Wadi Rum,
is blocking progress ... ne or jeopardize people's thousands of years. bathe inthe Dead Sea, but also
rights in certain areas like the see the rich history of mankind
Well, we should not blame the right to have public associa- Our civilization goes back there; or part of it.
institution, but the members. If tion and assembly, or holding thousands of years and we
you knock yourself against a a person in custody for a pro- have something from the Q: What should countries
wall, you do not blame the longed period for public secu- Byzantine time, the Romans, do? Promote their cultu-
wall ... the institution is rity considerations. We have the Aramaic ... we have the ral values better?
merely an arena where its had incidents like these, but site where Christ was
members act, so we should these are very exceptional and baptized, which is on the I think that they should dO

call a spade a spade. It is when they occurred they were eastern bank of the River more, spend more money on

considerations of national dealt with promptly and sat's- Jordan. We have mosaics and cultural exhibitions and focus
priorities...politicisation, factorily; as there is a political churches, the oldest mosaic more on showing the world
which lead to different yard- will at the highest level to add- church in the world, etc. Our whatthey have interms of cul-
sticks being employed as in ress these violations. history goes back as much as tural treasures, the rich civili-

the case of the Middle East 3,000 years. Jericho, which is zation, we have, modemity, in
issues, for instance. We have dealt with all these the oldest known capital in the terms of progress and the
issues on the political level, in world, is only afewkilometres respect of human rights. The
Q: How would you cha- temis of legislation, inpractice away to the west of where heritage of the past-either it's
racterize the human and even in temis of educating Cbrist was baptized. buriedunderthe ground, orit's
rights situation in the people. So we have modi- in manuscripts or sculphires -
Jordan? fied our laws to conform to So when people come to us can be found in museums and
international standards. We and tell us: "No, you cannot libraries around the world. I

We have a fafily good record have established a national speak about human rights, the bclieve the TJNBSCO, 'i7i7IP0
of human rights in Jordan. Of center forhuman rights institu- rule of law, justice, etc."-I do and HRC should cooperate to
course, no counhy is perfect. t'ons and we have very vibrant not agree. The Universal develop the universalnortns of
Otherwise there would not be national human rights NGOs Declaration of Human Rights human rights that are shared
a dynamic political system in that monitor the situation in is a good text; we like it and by all peoples, cultures and
any counhy. First, we have a prisons, and issued reports we contributed to it. But, civilizations. History and cul-
culture of respect for fiu'ida- about incidents of alleged tor- istory did not start with the hire can contribute significant-
16 2 2008 Diva

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