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UN investigator criticizes torture in Jordan

A human rights investigator working on behalf of the United Nations, said Tuesday, that the torture of prisoners in Jordan is common practice and routine, and called on the Jordanian to change its laws so that those responsible for these actions could be prosecuted. Manfred Nowak, United Nations special rapporteur for torture, a Austrian law professor appointed by the UN to file a report on the treatment of prisoners in the kingdom, said torture is used mainly to pry information from suspected terrorists, an for that reason the country`s security forces enjoy complete immunity under Jordanian law. He dubbed the laws regarding torture "completely meaningless", since the Jordanian security forces are immune to any criminal prosecution.

The practice of torture is widespread in Jordan, and in some places routine, namely the General Intelligence Directorate (GID), the Public Security Directorate`s Criminal Investigation Department, as well as Al-Jafr Correction and Rehabilitation Centre, Nowak wrote in the 38-page report he gave in. Al-Jafr is a location in southern Jordan which is said to host the "two most notorious torture centres in Jordan." Nowak writes they served as "a punishment centre". Last month King Abdullah II ordered Al-Jafr be closed.

Jordanian security forces rejected the claims that widespread violation of prisoner rights has been taking place in Jordan. But the report filed to the UN reports that beating with sticks, electric wiring and broomsticks, the burning of cigarettes on prisoner bodies and forcing detainees to stay in uncomfortable and painful positions for prolonged periods.