Jordan National Movement

Seeking Peaceful Coexistence, Freedom and Economic Prosperity for Jordanians and their Neighbors

Letter to Congressman Brian Baird

Congressman Baird smiling at an event.

Congressman Baird               The Thuggish Dictator King Abdullah II

October 5, 2007 

The Honorable Congressman Brian Baird

U.S. House of Representatives
2443 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-3536
Fax: (202) 225-3478

Dear Honorable Brian Baird,

We are writing you this letter to ask you for your prompt attention to an important matter with national and international consequences.                                                                                                                                                                              

The recent resolution, introduced by you and co-sponsored by Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commending and praising Jordan’s July 31 municipal elections, is very disappointing. It represents an insult to the majority of Jordanians and human rights advocates, nationally and worldwide. We sincerely hope that your office avoids rushing to conclusions based on false information provided by King Abdullah II’s lobbyists and Embassy staff in Washington, D.C.

The most recent independent reports and statements issued by the National Center for Human Rights in Jordan (http://www.nchr.org.jo/uploads/Municipality_report2007.pdf) and Jordan Bar Association (http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/pressreports.htm) declared and stressed that these elections were conducted illegally and carried out with widespread forgery and rampant vote rigging: Pro-government voters were transferred from one district to another to support particular candidates; thousands of Jordanian soldiers were ordered out of their military barracks to vote multiple times for pro-king and absolute monarchy candidates; fierce protests and riots were reported all over the country against sever election irregularities; journalists of independent daily and weekly newspapers were barred from covering this important event; many balloting boxes were destroyed; Jordanian Islamists and independents withdrew their candidates; and many names of registered voters in several districts disappeared on the day of elections. All of this anarchy took place before the eyes of and based on direct directions and orders from King Abdullah II. As a result, elections in Jordan are regarded by many national and international observers as partial and fake (http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Flaws in Jordans Elections Law Dec 8 2006.doc)

Given the regime’s tragic human rights record (http://hrw.org/doc?t=mideast&c=jordan) and exponential levels of corruption (http://www.transparency.org/publications/gcr/download_gcr#toc), it seems rather unwise that the U.S. Congress and Administration continues supporting King Abdullah II monetarily and providing carte blanche military support to his corrupt and unelected government and secret police to oppress the people of Jordan. Tyranny breeds terrorism and violence. We have all been witnessing the massacres and daily killings of innocent people on the streets of Baghdad and in other cities of Iraq. Where are most of these evil terrorists coming from? Certainly, based on news and intelligence reports, most of these suicide bombers and killers are trained in Iraq and neighboring countries, such as Jordan. We must recall and never forget what the dead rat, Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi, did in the cities and villages of Iraq and worldwide. Zarqawi was prepared in Jordan!

This regime in Amman has failed to adhere to international treaties including international human rights conventions and accords. Also, since coming to power in 1999, King Abdullah II has failed to deliver on initial pledges to promote democracy and the rule of law (http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cp76_choucair_final.pdf and http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cmec4_alissa_jordan_final.pdf). His rule has become increasingly authoritarian (http://www.css-jordan.org/polls/index.html). No serious political opposition is permitted to form. The judiciary is manipulated by his government, and no independent judges are allowed to operate. Even in the presence of the king, only a very few people (already picked by the intelligence community) are allowed to speak up. The press and broadcast media are tightly controlled, and the authorities make vigorous efforts to restrict internet communications and limit access to websites with independent news about Jordan.

For years the human rights community in Jordan has been under sustained pressure from the Jordanian General Intelligence Department (Al-Mukhabrat) and other state agents, who have thwarted the legitimate activities of reformers and have violently attacked and intimidated these individuals and members of their families.  Former MP Dr. Al-Abbadi’s imprisonment is a clear manifestation of this regime’s behavior. Other recent examples of this barbaric monarchy include: Abducting, beating up and shaving the beard of MP Dr. Al-Ali Alatoum, Irbid-First District, and burning the personal vehicle of Osama Al-Ramini, Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly News publication, by King Abdullah II’s security forces (http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/humanrightsissues.htm).

The attack on Members of Parliament, journalists and human rights activities is emblematic of what international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) have documented in their regular reporting on Jordan’s human rights record.  In its latest report (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/jordan15973.htm), the HRW indicated that human rights advocates have been a particular target of repression, with individual activists targeted for prosecution on fabricated charges and subject to threats and physical assault by government security agencies.

Human rights organizations have also been restricted. Independent groups, such as the Jordanian National Movement, that are strongly critical of the government's human rights practices have been refused legal recognition, and their activities are habitually obstructed and restricted by the authorities.

In light of these facts, we strongly urge you to seriously review the political, monetary, and military support you have extended to King Abdullah II’s regime. Now is the time for Jordan's democracy advocates in the United States to press for an authentic change in Jordan that will create democracy in substance and not just by name, similar to the genuine democracy and freedom enjoyed by the citizens in our neighboring country, Israel.   

Sir, genuine economic and political reforms will not take place in Jordan without direct support from prominent figures like you. Therefore, we kindly urge you to make use of your office’s moral authority and its economic as well as diplomatic leverage to bring about real political changes in our country. We sincerely hope that you will urge King Abdullah II to adopt these critical and overdue reforms immediately. The dividends of these reforms will be shared as they positively affect the daily lives of all peoples of this important region and beyond.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mualla

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

The Jordan National Movement

http://www.jordannationalmovement.org

Virginia, USA

703-629-5427 (Cell)

Cc: Office of Congressman Tom Lantos

 

Printer-freindly copy: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Letter to Congressman Brian Baird October 5 07.doc

The Absolute Monarchy in Jordan: Dirty Political Games

JNM, Amman, Jordan (Wednesday, August 22, 2007): On Sunday, August 19, 2007, king-abdullah_2411King Abdullah II issued this order: “We, Abdullah II Ben Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in pursuance of Paragraph 1 of Article 34 of the Constitution, order that elections of the House of deputies be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law.” In other words, the king decided to dissolve Parliament This statement represents one dimension of the absolute monarchy in Jordan. King Abdullah II decides everything and anything: At his own pleasure, he appoints and sacks Members of Parliament, Prime Ministers, Senators, Ambassadors, Supreme Court Judges, and high-ranking officials and military commanders…AND runs Parliament and Municipality elections that are tribal and full of fraud.

Similar to previous national elections, the next Parliament elections will be held based on the one-person, one-vote system, a tribal and ethnic-based voting system aims to customize and recruit unprofessional and pro absolute monarchy legislators whose main concerns lie with personal interests, bribery and favoritism. This impartial and fake system has been widely criticized on the national and international stages: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Flaws in Jordans Elections Law Dec 8 2006.doc

King Abdullah II and his corrupt cohorts must understand one thing: The world is watching you very closely and never think that you will get away with your dirty political games! We will pursue the truth and nothing but the truth so the people of the world know exactly who you are…you are no more than a “bunch” of thieves and power-lovers that live and prosper on the backs of Jordanian citizens…Shame on you!

Open Letter to President George W. Bush

 

July 22, 2007

President George W. Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We are writing you this letter to ask you for your prompt attention to an important matter with national and international consequences. 

Less than three months after King Abdullah II of Jordan declared before a joint session of the U.S. Congress that he was pushing for political and economic reforms in his country, one of Jordan’s leading critics of his regime, Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi, is being held as a political prisoner at Al-Jwaidah Prison on questionable charges.

Dr. Al-Abbadi, a well-respected writer, historian and former member of the Jordanian Parliament is paying the price for exposing corruption within the political system and speaking out in favor of government reforms.

Dr. Al-Abbadi now leads the Jordan National Movement (JNM), an organization that “seeks to promote democracy, human rights, and political, economic and social reforms, and national strategic issues in Jordan, and constructive and peaceful dialogue to settle current and future conflicts in the Middle East region.”

Dr. Al-Abbadi’s detention was ordered by King Abdullah II on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, as a result of speeches and letters he wrote in which he questioned King Abdullah II’s personal wealth, failed economic policies, and constant refusal to pay tax, as well as tacit support of corruption and human rights abuses.

Dr. Al-Abbadi is being held in a cell with common criminals and singled out for harsh treatment by prison guards. According to family members who have visited him in prison, he has been kicked and punched by prison guards and denied medical attention. The prison authorities have also disrupted visits by his family members, including his wife.  Furthermore, his lawyers were not permitted to see him prior to his court appearance, and police assaulted supporters who peacefully expressed interest to protest the government’s decision to detain him.  In addition, Dr. Al-Abbadi has been repeatedly denied bail without providing any legal explanations, which led to the recent resignation of his legal team.

Needless to say, Dr. Al-Abbadi’s detention is a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and by the U.N. Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.  Further, this arbitrary detention is a violation of Jordanian obligations as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

This brings us to the purpose of this letter.  Given the regime’s tragic human rights record and exponential levels of corruption, it seems rather unwise that the U.S. Administration continues supporting King Abdullah II monetarily and providing carte blanche military support to his corrupt and unelected government and secret police to oppress the people of Jordan. Tyranny breeds terrorism and violence. We have all been witnessing the massacres and daily killings of innocent people on the streets of Baghdad and in other cities of Iraq. Where are most of these evil terrorists coming from? Certainly, based on news and intelligence reports, most of these suicide bombers and killers are made in Iraq and neighboring countries, such as Jordan. We must recall and never forget what the dead rat, Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi, did in the cities and villages of Iraq and worldwide. Zarqawi was made in Jordan!

This regime has failed to adhere to international treaties including international human rights conventions and accords. Also, since coming to power in 1999, King Abdullah II has failed to deliver on initial pledges to promote democracy and the rule of law (http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cp76_choucair_final.pdf). His rule has become increasingly authoritarian (http://www.css-jordan.org/polls/index.html). No serious political opposition is permitted to form. The judiciary is manipulated by his government, and no independent judges are allowed to operate. Even in the presence of the king, only a very few people (already picked by the intelligence community) are allowed to speak up. The press and broadcast media are tightly controlled, and the authorities make vigorous efforts to restrict internet communications and limit access to websites with independent news about Jordan.

For years the human rights community in Jordan has been under sustained pressure from the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate (Al-Mukhabrat) and other state agents, who have thwarted the legitimate activities of reformers and have violently attacked and intimidated these individuals and members of their families.  Dr. Al-Abbadi’s imprisonment is a clear manifestation of this regime’s behavior.

The attack on Dr. Abbadi is emblematic of what international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) have documented in their regular reporting on Jordan’s human rights record.  In its latest report (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/22/jordan15973.htm), the HRW indicated that human rights advocates have been a particular target of repression, with individual activists targeted for prosecution on fabricated charges and subject to threats and physical assault by government security agencies.

Human rights organizations have also been restricted. Independent groups, such as the Jordanian National Movement, that are strongly critical of the government's human rights practices have been refused legal recognition, and their activities are habitually obstructed and restricted by the authorities.

In light of these facts, we strongly urge you to seriously review the political, monetary, and military support you have extended to King Abdullah II’s regime. Now is the time for Jordan's democracy advocates in the United States to press for a change in Jordan that will create democracy in substance and not just by name.  

Sir, genuine economic and political reforms will not take place in Jordan without direct support from prominent international figures like you. Therefore, we kindly urge you to make use of your office’s moral authority and its economic as well as diplomatic leverage to bring about real political changes in our country. In your meeting with King Abdullah II on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, we sincerely hope that you will urge the king to adopt these critical and overdue reforms immediately. The dividends of these reforms will be shared as they positively affect the daily lives of all peoples of this important region and beyond.

At a time when our people have questioned the commitment of the United States to human rights, it is very helpful that the U.S. government and their affiliated institutions, businesses and the media, and citizens act affirmatively now to demonstrate support for human rights advocacy and adherence to rule of law.

We are greatly concerned for the safety of Dr. Al-Abbadi and kindly urge you to do everything within your power to hasten his release. Thank you for your consideration. For further information regarding this case, please visit: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org.

Sincerely,

Abedalelah Almaala

Human Rights Acitvist

The Jordan National Movement

240-423-3207 (Cell)

Printer-Friendly Copy: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Open Letter to President George W. Bush Final Version.doc 

Letters to Canada Re: The Abduction of Dr. Al-Abbadi by King Abdullah II

Stephen Joseph Harper

JNM, Amman, Jordan (Wednesday, July 11, 2007): In light of the immanent visit of the dictator King Abdullah II of Jordan to Canada, the Jordan National Movement (JNM), via the family of Dr. Al-Abbadi, sent the following letters today to  Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and several other senior Canadian officials and Members of the Canadian Parliament and House of Commons.

 

http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Letter in English to Governor Michaelle Jean.doc

 

http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Letter in English to Prime Minister Harper.doc

 

Also, JNM sent the following letter (in French) to the President of France Nicolas SARKOZY: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Letter to Mr. President Nicolas SARKOZY.doc

King Abdullah II’s Corrupt Henchman Marwan Muasher Lies in the World Bank’s Investigation of Paul Wolfowitz

Marwan Muasher

JNM, Washington (Wednesday, May 16, 2007): Former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (unelected ministerial portfolios) of Jordan Marwan Muasher was caught lying in the current investigation of Paul Wolfowitz's scandal at the World Bank:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/23b067b2-fcc9-11db-9971-000b5df10621.html 

Marwan Muasher, now Director of External Relations at the World Bank and a graduate of King Abdullah II's School of Corruption, thinks he is still being protected by his former boss, the thuggish dictator King Abdullah II, and the corrupt General Intelligence Directorate (GID) in Jordan. Muasher rose to several political-based ministerial and ambassadorship positions (holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University) in Jordan through family business kickbacks and disgusting favoritism arranged by the late corrupt prince Zaid Bin Shaker and the family and relatives of Muasher.

Press Release.....

king-abdullah_2411Jordan National Movement has issued the following press release re: King Abdullah's recent speech to Joint Session of U.S. Congress: [A printer-friendly copy of this press release can be found at: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Press Release Re King Abdullah Speech to Joint Session of Congress.doc]

Since King Abdullah of Jordan ascended to the throne in February 1999, he has taken two distinct and contradictory positions on many foreign and domestic policy issues (Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, human rights, etc.).  His personal political stances pertinent to regional and international issues are significantly influenced by his top foreign policy advisors: His wife Queen Rania, Basim Awadallah and Farouq Qassrawi, all of whom are west bankers and anti-Israel and fervent supporters of Fateh and Hammas organizations. His recent imbalanced speech to Joint Session of Congress underscores this conclusion.  It is his custom to espouse pro democratic values to foreign leaders, including members of the U.S. Congress and the Bush Administration, and to give the false impression that he is a champion of peace, advocate for international law, and protector of human rights while espousing contradictory views at home.

Granted, he is not the first despot to line his coffers with international aid, but the time has come to hold him accountable so Jordan can start on the road to democracy and prosperity.  The regime’s record is disheartening.  Under his corrupt leadership, Jordanian authorities continue to crack down on free speech, and close independent domestic media outlets, while harassing political activists, journalists and reform-minded individuals.  As a result of these repressive practices, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) last fall issued comprehensive reports on the current state of human rights abuses in the kingdom.  Here a few recent reports issued by international organizations regarding the state of affairs in Jordan:

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/09/19/jordan14205.htm

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE160052006.

http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cp76_choucair_final.pdf

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=2442&l=1

 

On the economic front, Jordan is facing dire economic challenges.  Income at the grass roots level has remained stagnant; inflation continues to be a serious problem, and unemployment and poverty are mounting.  These economic crises are the result of years of significant and rising corruption, failed economic policy, market distortions, the absence of public accountability and, most importantly, a tyrannical instituted governing system.  Currently, Jordan is one of the largest recipients of international aid.  In spite of the significant financial inflows, its public institutions and services are ailing; its ability to create jobs remains extremely inadequate, and the country’s infrastructure remains modest.  Shockingly, almost 40 percent of Jordan’s population is below the poverty line; 70 percent of its citizens are severely poor, and more than 20 percent of the labor force is unemployed. (For some regions, these percentages are much higher). 

While Jordanians are suffering, Queen Rania spends a huge portion of the country’s resources on new palaces, private jets, royal yachts and receptions, and a public relations campaign to improve her international public image.  Perhaps she should have taken her own advice in the fall of 2006, when she stated at a conference organized by the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, that the “only way to create a stable and secure world is to address global injustices, specifically in the Arab world.”  We are concerned that Jordan is a likely candidate to slide into chaos and public disorder if King Abdullah’s authoritarian policies continue.  We are dismayed to see that so many citizens feel that they must join or support terrorist organizations directly or indirectly in order to make their views heard.  Let’s not forget that Jordanian prisons in the 1990s were incubators for Jordanian terrorists such as Abu Musab Zarqawi and his associates. 

The challenges that the United States and its allies face in the Middle East are enormous and require unity and cooperation.  The United States must not empower those who undermine its strategic interests in this important region by supporting tyranny and a dictatorship in Jordan.  We are calling upon the U.S. Congress and the Bush Administration to support the pro democracy movement in the country by introducing an agenda comprised of four basic pillars: a new constitution, a popularly elected government, and an independent justice system as well as an economic regime that is based on free market enterprise.  We envision Jordan at the epicenter of genuine political reforms in this important part of the world by bringing more freedom and a brighter future to our country and its citizens and, most importantly, peace and security to Jordan’s neighbors, including the State of Israel.  

These noble goals, of course, will not take place without direct support from the American people. Therefore, we strongly urge the Bush Administration and Congress to make use of the United States’ moral authority and its economic as well as diplomatic leverage to bring about real political changes in Jordan. We sincerely hope that King Abdullah of Jordan will always hear from his American interlocutors the right message underscoring the urgent need for reforms. The dividends of these reforms will be shared and will positively affect the daily life of all peoples of this important region and beyond. 

It is also our earnest hope that the U.S. government and Congress, governments of G-7, and international donors will base their financial and military support to King Abdullah II and his ailing regime on the progress of political and economic reforms in Jordan

Cancel King Abdullah II's Speech: Letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Jordan National Movement protests King Abdullah II’s speech to Joint Session of U.S. Congress. Please read the letter addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/Letter_To_The_Honorable_Nancy_Pelosi.doc

King Abdullah II’s Double-Face Policy: Peace and Terrorism

The International Crisis Group’s (ICG) Reports on Jordan: Will the absolute monarchy in Jordan listen and change?

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