Jordanians hold fresh protests
Thousands of Jordanians have taken to the streets across the country to protest against the government’s failure to fight corruption and introduce reforms.
The protesters also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and his cabinet and demanded an elected government.
Jordanians say the premier is resisting efforts to carry out political and economic reforms in the country as tasked by King Abdullah.
“The people want to fight corruption. The people want an elected government,” an estimated 400 of demonstrators chanted in the capital, Amman, after Friday Prayers as they marched to the nearby city hall.
“What happened to reform? We want to rest!” read one banner.
Jordanian demonstrators also condemned the interference of security court in the country’s affairs and demanded the dissolution of the military-run court. They also called for an end to Jordan’s ties with Israel.
“This is an unfair court. It is used to repress the opposition and all free Jordanians who want to liberate Palestine, resist the Zionist enemy or resist normalization with Israel,” said Badi Rafayah, an activist from the labor unions, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the military state security tribunal.
“The court is also used to justify corruption. It holds superficial trials for the corrupt and closes its eyes on the high profile corrupt.”
Jordanian protesters also criticized the government for selling state assets to foreign investors, saying the measure has made the country’s business and political elite rich but has done little to help the poor.
“We do not want committees. We want our money and our land,” AFP quoted protesters as chanting in Tafileh, referring to two current commissions charged with enhancing national dialogue and looking into constitutional amendments.
Organizers say similar protest rallies were also held in the southern cities of Karak and Diban.
Demands for fighting corruption have intensified in Jordan since a convicted tycoon, who was serving a three-year prison term for bribery and corruption, escaped abroad in February.
So far, two Cabinet ministers have resigned over Khaled Shaheen’s disappearance from the country.
