In a momentous decision echoing through the hallowed halls of the Jordanian Lower House, the draft general pardon law of 2024 was embraced without alterations. The air buzzed with a sense of gratitude towards His Majesty King Abdullah, whose guiding hand steered the government towards issuing this crucial decree, especially under the current circumstances.
Initiating a cascade of legislative maneuvers, His Majesty’s call on March 20 spurred the government into action, paving the way for the constitutional progression of the draft general pardon law. This call to action coincided with the silver jubilee marking His Majesty’s ascension to the throne and the assumption of constitutional powers.
Members of parliament, in a chorus of voices, emphasized the imperative nature of extending the pardon to encompass cases of reconciliation, save those encroaching upon honor and national security. Echoing this sentiment, they advocated for the inclusion of a broad spectrum of personal rights waivers within the bill’s ambit.
Among the clamor for inclusivity, a fervent plea arose to embrace cases of murder, should they find resolution through reconciliation. Such a stance sought to uphold the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation inherent in the general pardon.
Drawing from past precedents, parliamentarians rallied behind a proposal to add certain crimes, previously included in general pardon laws of 2011 and 2019, provided they are intertwined with reconciliation efforts.
The discourse extended to encompass financial matters, with a particular emphasis on alleviating the burdens of university student loans and agricultural debts. Additionally, a call resonated through the chambers for the inclusion of drug-related offenses, albeit under stringent conditions, safeguarding against affiliations with external networks detrimental to Jordan’s interests.
In the wake of these impassioned appeals, Justice Minister Ahmad Ziadat assured that the government remained steadfast in adhering to the principles and criteria set forth by His Majesty. However, he underscored the inherent limitations, particularly concerning civil obligations arising from loans, which precluded their incorporation into the draft law.
As the gavel fell, marking the culmination of deliberations, Jordanian lawmakers stood united in their resolve, heralding a new era of clemency and reconciliation under the auspices of the draft general pardon law of 2024.
