This article is incomplete and may require expansion or cleanup. Please help to improve the article, or discuss the issue on the talk page. (January 2011)

2011 Jordanian protests
Part of the Arab Spring
Map of Jordan
Date January 7, 2011 (2011-01-07) – ongoing Location  Jordan 26°01′39″N 50°33′00″E / 26.0275°N 50.55°E / 26.0275; 50.55Coordinates: 26°01′39″N 50°33′00″E / 26.0275°N 50.55°E / 26.0275; 50.55 Status King Abdullah II dismissed Prime Minister Rifai and his Cabinet.[1][2] (see section New government) Causes Inflation, low salaries, unemployment, regressive taxes[1][3][4] Goals Regime change, human rights, democracy[5][6] Characteristics Demonstrations
Parties to the civil conflict
• Muslim Brotherhood  • Leftist[3] parties[7]  • 14 trade unions[8]	• Government of Jordan and supporters
Lead figures
• Retired General Ali Habashnah[5]	• King Abdullah II  • Prime Minister Samir Rifai[3]
Number
• Protesters: 6,000–10,000[9]
Casualties
Death(s) 2 (one due to heart failure and not injury related)[11][12] Injuries 35[10]

The 2011 Jordanian protests are a series of protests occurring in Jordan in 2011, which resulted in the firing of the cabinet ministers of the government.

Food inflation and salaries were a cause for resentment in the country.^[1] The 2010-2011 Tunisian Revolution and the 2011 Egyptian Revolution also raised hopes for political change in the region. Together with unrest elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, including the disturbances in Jordan and Yemen, they are part of the 2010-2011 Arab world protests also known as the domino effect of Arab unrest.^[13][14]

Contents 1 Background 2 Protests 3 Response 3.1 Domestic response 3.2 International response 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Background

Jordan's economy continues to struggle, weighed down by a record deficit of $2 billion this year.^[3] Inflation in Jordan has risen by 1.5% to 6.1% in December 2010, and unemployment and poverty have become rampant, estimated at 12% and 25% respectively.^[3] The government is also accused of impoverishing the working class with regressive tax codes which forced the poor to pay a higher proportion of their income as tax. The parliament is accused of serving as a "rubber stamp" to the executive branch.^[3]

Jordan has a history of persecuting activists and journalists. The country amended its penal code in August 2010 and passed a Law of Information System Crimes, to regulate the Internet. Revised laws continue to criminalize peaceful expression and extend those provisions to Internet expression. Jordanian authorities prosecuted peaceful dissidents and prohibited peaceful gatherings to protest government policies. Dissidents confined by the General Intelligence Department routinely sign confessions. According to a report by Amnesty International, intelligence agents in Jordan frequently use torture to extract confessions from suspects.^[15]

[edit] Protests

The Muslim Brotherhood, one of the largest opposition groups in Jordan, on January 26 urged Jordanians to pour into streets later in the week to protest against Prime Minister Samir Rifai's economic policies and the political situation in the country.^[3]

Demonstrators protested rising prices and demanded the dismissal of the Prime Minister and his government, but they have not directly challenged the king, criticism of whom is banned in Jordan. The demonstrators have been peaceful and have not been confronted by the police. So far no deaths, injuries or riots have been reported; however the protests' leaders said that the king had failed to take substantial steps to address mounting public resentment and they warned that unless real changes are made, that unrest could worsen. King Abdullah II, a key U.S. ally, has come under pressure recently from various protesters which include a coalition of Islamists, secular opposition groups and a group of retired army generals, all of whom are calling for substantial political and economic reforms.^[5]

Ali Habashnah, one of the retired generals desiring reforms, said that unrest has spread to rural areas dominated by Bedouin tribes. These tribes have been a traditional backbone of the monarchy. It was the first time, he said, that the Bedouins had joined with other groups in demands for change.^[5]

On 28 January, following Friday prayers, 3,500 activists from the Muslim Brotherhood, trade unions, and communist and leftist organisations demanded that Samir Rifai step down as prime minister and that the government control rising prices, inflation and unemployment.^[4] Protests were reported in Amman and six other cities.^[16] Thousands took to the streets in the capital, Amman, as well as several other cities shouting, "We want change." Banners complained of high food and fuel prices and demanded the resignation of the prime minister, an appointee of the king.^[2]

On 2 February, demonstrations continued in demanding that King Abdullah II sack his newly appointed prime minister. Hamza Mansour, one of the leaders of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, demanded elections to choose another prime minister. He said that Al-Bakhit "doesn't believe in democracy."^[1]

The day after King Abdullah met with Muslim Brotherhood leaders at the royal palace, in an attempt to defuse tensions in the country, on 4 February, hundreds of people, including members of leftist groups and the Muslim Brotherhood, congregated outside the prime minister's office to demand economic and political reforms and the dissolution of parliament. They then marched to the Egyptian embassy in support of the anti-government protesters in that country.^[7]

On 18 February, protesters who gathered in central Amman to demand political reform, have clashed with a small group of government supporters that eyewitnesses claim attacked the protesters with sticks and stones, before the police restored order. Eyewitnesses said about 2,000 protesters, mostly young people joined by trade unionists and others, took to the streets after prayers at the Husseini Mosque, though other reports said the number was about 300.^[17]

About 6,000-10,000 protesters were on the streets of Amman on 25 February, in the largest protests so far.^[9] The Islamic Action Front, along with 19 other political parties, called for the protests.^[18]

In the first week of March anti-government protesters continued where opposition groups demanded such greater political freedoms as a constitutional monarchy.^[6]

On 24 March, Al-Jazeera English reported that around 500 protesters, mainly university students and politically unaffiliated unemployed graduates have set up a protest camp in a main square in the capital to press demands for the ouster of the prime minister, seen as insufficiently reformist, as well as wider public freedoms. Other demands include dissolving the parliament, which is seen as too docile, dismantling the intelligence department and giving greater powers to the people, including a new, more proportional, election law. Jordan's opposition also want to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister, as they want the premier to be elected by a popular vote.^[19]

On 25 March, clashes occurred between supporters of the king and more than 2000 protesters camped in Gamal Abdel Nasser Circle. Some witnesses said the police stood by as government supporters moved in to the square and began throwing stones.^[10] As many as 100 people were reported injured, most with head wounds, while two people are said to have been killed. However, the next day in a press conference, the commandant of public security, Lieutenant General Hussein Al-Majali confirmed that there was one death only, with 62 injured civilians, and 58 injured policemen (including a Brigadier General and a Lieutenant Colonel). Forensic medicine report confirmed that there were no signs of any injury, and that the patient actually died of circulatory collapse secondary to chronic ischemic heart disease.In the same press conference, Al-Majali also confirmed that 8 civilians and 17 policemen were still receiving hospital treatment at the time of the conference, and also stressed that policemen were completely unarmed and they interfered just to save the lives of people whatever their political view is.^[11][20][21] On the same day of clashes, thousands gathered in Al-Hussein Gardens west of Amman to express loyalty and allegiance to the king, dancing to national songs and waving large Jordanian flags and pictures of the monarch.

On 1 April, nearly 400 policemen were deployed to separated hundreds of government supporters and pro-reform activists holding rival rallies outside municipal offices in Amman.^[22]

On 15 April, more than 2,000 Jordanians took to the streets throughout the country demanding greater political representation, with half of them demonstrating in Amman, immediately after prayers. Also, a crowd of a few hundred Islamists clashed with a somewhat smaller group of monarchy loyalists in Zarqa. Eight civilians and 83 policemen were wounded, including 4 in critical condition.^[23]

[edit] Response

[edit] Domestic response

On February 1, the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah II has sacked the government as a consequence of the street protests and has asked Marouf al-Bakhit, an ex-army general, to form a new cabinet.^[24] Abdullah told al-Bakhit his authority will be to "take quick, concrete and practical steps to launch a genuine political reform process,". The reforms should put Jordan on the path "to strengthen democracy," and provide Jordanians with the "dignified life they deserve," the monarch said.^[25] He also asked al-Bakhit for a "comprehensive assessment ... to correct the mistakes of the past." and also the statement said Abdullah demanded an "immediate revision" of laws governing politics and public freedoms.^[26]

Bakhit stated that opposition groups, both Islamist and leftists, might possibly be included in the new government,^[27] but the Islamic Action Front immediately rejected that offer, stating that the current political conditions did not allow for them to join the government and that they were looking for real reform.^[28] Despite calls to stay away from the new government, the Islamic Action Front and five leftists were representented in a new government sworn in on 10 February.^[29]

There have also been talks of reforming electoral law to reduce gerrymandering in constituency boundaries and guarantee greater proportionality.^[30] Taher Odwan, formerly editor-in-chief of Al Arab Al Yawm, a Jordanian newspaper that was critical towards the government, has been appointed Minister of Media Affairs and Communications. Odwan pledged enhanced press freedoms and access to information.^[31] A $500m package of price cuts in fuel and staples, including sugar and rice, was announced, along with salary increases for civil servants and the military.^[32]

On 11 February, following Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation, the Muslim Brotherhood stated that "Arab regimes should learn a lesson from what has happened [in Egypt]."^[33]

On 15 February, the Public Gatherings Law was reformed to allow unrestricted freedom of expression; the former law required permission from the governor to hold demonstrations. A reform of the electoral law was also promised.^[34]

On 15 March, King Abdullah II said a 53-member committee with government officials and opposition leaders will draft new laws for parliamentary elections and political parties, setting a three-month deadline for agreement on political reforms. However, the Muslim Brotherhood said it would not take part unless parliament is dissolved and a prime minister is elected from a parliamentary majority.^[35]

On 28 March, three days after deadly clashes between protesters and supporters of the king, King Abdullah II called for national unity, telling his citizens to avoid "any behaviour or attitude that would affect our unity." He went on to state that economic and political reforms were on their way. However, the Parliament rejected calls to reduce the king's power.^[36] As a response to the same violent clashes, 15 members of the government-appointed committee for national dialogue quit, effectively suspending its activity, although 12 of them retracted their resignations following a meeting with the king. The government decided to ban its supporters from demonstrating in the capital, while the opposition was allowed to demonstrate in specially designated areas in Amman.^[22]

[edit] International response

The United States said that it had hopes Jordan would enact reform to stave off similar protests to that of Egypt.^[37]

[edit] See also

• Adwan Rebellion
• Black September in Jordan
• Democracy in the Middle East
• Food riot
• Government of Jordan
• Freedom in the World
• List of freedom indices

[edit] References

[edit] External links

v · d · eArab Spring Events by country Algeria • Bahrain • Egypt • Iraq • Jordan • Lebanon • Libya • Morocco • Oman • Saudi Arabia • Sudan • Syria • Tunisia • Western Sahara • Yemen Notable people Algeria: Abdelaziz Bouteflika • Bahrain: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – Hasan Mushaima • Egypt: Mohamed ElBaradei – Wael Ghonim – Asmaa Mahfouz – Hosni Mubarak – Omar Suleiman – Khaled Mohamed Saeed • Jordan: King Abdullah II – Marouf al-Bakhit – Samir Rifai • Morocco: Mohammed VI – Abbas El Fassi • Libya: Muammar Gaddafi – Seif al-Islam Gaddafi – Mustafa Abdul Jalil – Mahmoud Jibril – Mohammed Nabbous • Saudi Arabia: Manal al-Sharif • Sudan: Hassan al-Turabi • Syria: Bashar al-Assad – Riad Seif – Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb • Tunisia: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali – Mohamed Bouazizi • Yemen: Tawakel Karman – Ali Abdullah Saleh – Abdul Majeed al-Zindani – Sadiq al-Ahmar Groups Bahrain: Al Wefaq • Egypt: April 6 Youth Movement  – Kefaya  – Muslim Brotherhood  – National Association for Change  – National Democratic Party  – Revolutionary Socialists • Libya: Anti-Gaddafi forces  – National Transitional Council • Saudi Arabia: Umma Islamic Party • Syria: Hizb ut-Tahrir • Tunisia: Constitutional Democratic Rally • Western Sahara: Polisario Front • Yemen: Al-Islah – Hashid Impact Albania • Armenia • Azerbaijan • Burkina Faso • Croatia • Djibouti • Greece • Georgia • India • Iran • Maldives • Mexico • People's Republic of China, Republic of China and Hong Kong • Spain • Turkey • UK • USA (Wisconsin) Related United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 • United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 • "Ash-sha`b yurid isqat an-nizam" Category

v · d · eAnti-government protests in the 21st century Revolutions and uprisings Arab Spring Bahraini uprising (2011) • Egyptian revolution (2011) • Libyan civil war (2011) • Syrian uprising (2011)‎ • Tunisian Revolution (2010-2011) • Yemeni uprising (2011) Colour revolutions Georgian Rose Revolution (2003) • Kyrgyzstan Tulip Revolution (2005) • Ukrainian Orange Revolution (2004-2005) Other Kyrgyzstani uprising (2010) • Lebanese Cedar Revolution (2005) Other Global protests Protests against the war in Afghanistan (2001-present) • Protests against the war in Iraq (2003-2011) • Protests against world food prices (2007-2008) Arab Spring Algerian protests (2010-2011) • Djiboutian protests (2011) • Iranian protests (2011) • Iraqi protests (2011) • Jordanian protests (2011) • Lebanese protests (2011) • Mauritanian protests (2010-2011) • Moroccan protests (2011) • Omani protests (2011) • Saudi Arabian protests (2011) • Sudanese protests (2011) Student protests Austrian protests (2009) • Canadian strikes (2005) • Chilean protests (2006) • Croatian protests (2009) • Dutch strikes (2007) • Irish protests (2010) • Puerto Rican strikes (2010–2011) • UK protests (2011) Other protests Albanian opposition demonstrations (2011) • Argentinian riots (2001) • Armenian presidential election protests (2008) • Armenian protests (2011) • Azerbaijani protests (2011) • Burkinabé protests (2011) • Cameroonian anti-government protests (2008) • Canadian anti-prorogation protests (2010) • Chinese protests (2011) • Croatian protests (2011) • French civil unrest (2005) • French pension reform strikes (2010) • Georgian demonstrations (2007) • Georgian protests (2011) • Greek riots (2008) • Greek protests (2010-2011) • Hungarian protests (2006) • Icelandic financial crisis protests (2009) • Indian anti-corruption movement (2011) • Iranian election protests (2009-2010) • Israeli reserve soldiers' protest (2006) • Malaysian Bersih rally (2007) • Mexican protests (2011) • Nepalese democracy movement (2006) • Portuguese protests (2011) • Russian Dissenters March (2005-2008) • Sahrawi protests (2010-2011) • Catalan autonomy protest in Spain (2010) • Spanish protests (2011) • Turkish Republic Protests (2007 and 2009) • Kurdish protests in Turkey (2011) • UK anti-austerity protests (2011) • US Tea Party protests (2009–2011) • US public employee protests (2011)

v · d · e Jordan Geography Governorates · Nahias · Cities · The Mediterranean · Dead Sea · Red Sea · River Jordan · Nature reserves · Extreme points History Nabataeans · Hashemites · Islamic Empire · Ottoman Empire · Arab Revolt · Sykes-Picot Agreement · British Mandate for Palestine · Transjordan · Arab-Israeli conflict · 1948 Arab-Israeli War · 1967 Arab-Israeli War · 1973 Arab-Israeli War · Israel–Jordan peace treaty · Palestine Liberation Organization · Black September · 2011 Jordanian protests Economy International rankings · Globalization · Agriculture · Defense industry · Tourism · Petra world heritage site · Oil shale · Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation · Jordan Atomic Energy Commission · Water supply and sanitation in Jordan Demographics and Culture Religion · Islam · Christianity · Catholicism · Freedom of religion · Arabic language · Art · Cinema · Cuisine · Music · Sports · Boy Scouts and Girl Guides · Public holidays Health and Education Hospitals · Private Hospitals Association · Medical education · Universities · University of Jordan · Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Government and politics Constitution · Kings · Prime Ministers · Cabinet · Parliament · Political parties · Elections · Law enforcement · Central Bank · Foreign affairs · Human rights Military Royal Jordanian Land Force · Royal Jordanian Air Force · Royal Naval Force · Royal Special Forces · Royal Maintenance Corps · General Intelligence Directorate · His Majesty's Special Security · King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau · Jordanian military ranks · Arab Legion Transportation Airports · Railways · Royal Jordanian Airlines · Aqaba seaport Communications Newspapers · Internet · JRTV · ATV People King Abdullah I · King Talal · King Hussein · King Abdullah II · Queen Rania Portal · Index · Outline