Jordanian King Forms Committee to Oversee Reforms

Arab World

June 11th, 5:25am

Asharq Al-Awsat

King Abdullah directed the new committee to draw up a set of laws setting out reforms to overhaul the political system. (AFP/File)

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has entrusted on Thursday former prime minister Samir Rifai with chairing a 92-member Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System. The body will draft modern election and political party laws, suggest amendments and improvements to Jordan’s decision-making system. "The committee’s mission will be to put forward new draft election and political parties laws, look into the necessary constitutional amendments connected to the two laws and the mechanisms of parliamentary work, and provide recommendations on developing legislation regulating local administration, expanding participation in decision-making, and creating a political and legislative environment conducive to the active engagement of youth and women in public life," read the King's letter to Rifai, according to Petra News Agency. "We are determined to bring about a qualitative leap in political and parliamentary life, in a manner that guarantees the objectives and aspirations for the future." King Abdullah also stressed the importance of supporting the role of youth and explore means of motivating their engagement in partisan and parliamentary life. He also called for empowering women’s "active" engagement and promoting the values of good citizenship in terms of rights, duties, freedoms guaranteed by legislation, and the full adherence to the rule of law. The King also said the committee should use his “Discussion Papers” as a guiding document to map out a future roadmap. Notably, the seven Discussions Papers were issued seven years ago tackling a number of issues, including mechanisms to improve Jordan’s political system, democratization process and education. "I am awaiting the outcome of your work, which shall include the recommendations and proposed draft laws, provided that their date of submission would precede the convening of the next ordinary session of Parliament," the King said in his final statements to Rifai.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3021206/jordanian-king-forms-committee-oversee-reforms