Constitutional Democracy & Rights
The JOC envisions Jordan’s future being one where everyone is equal under Constitutional Law, regardless of race, background, religion, sect, or life style. This will be assured by the introduction of a:
· CONSTITUTION: The “New Jordan” will only be complete with a new Constitution, a Constitution that firmly declares that all people on Jordanian soil are equal under the law. It will be supported by a variety of provisions, including a “Bill of Rights”, modeled after concepts supported by the United States Constitution. The Constitution will:
o OUTLAW DISCRIMINATION: The proposed acts will penalize discrimination based on race, religion, creed, sex or life style, and will apply to both verbal and nonverbal actions;
o HATE CRIMES: The “New Jordan” will enact laws that outlaw hate crimes. It will carry criminal penalties that are adjudicated in an impartial court of law. Hate crimes against anyone based on race, religion, background, sex or life style will not be tolerated;
o RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Please see below;
o FREE SPEECH: The JOC supports the Free Speech concepts that are found in the West, and will be an important part of the “New Jordanian” Constitution;
o AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: This concept will become part of the Constitution, and is designed to spur public education and employment, as well as the attraction of industry and companies to the country. The JOC hopes that in the “New Jordan”, this program will be representative of the country’s ethnic and religious makeup;
o PROPERTY: Property of any type will no longer be confiscated by the government without hearings, recourse or financial reimbursement;
o TRIAL: Those arrested will have the right to a speedy trial and government-funded legal representation if they cannot afford one;
o ARREST NOTIFICATION: Those arrested and their families will be notified as to why they were arrested, where they are and how they can be contacted;
o HEARINGS: Those arrested will be granted a hearing, and notification of all charges within 72 hours;
o CONTACT: All prisoners have the right to communicate with their families, including making phone calls and receiving/sending mail;
o REPRESENTATION: Those charged with any crimes shall be represented by an attorney and adjudicated in a court of law. If someone cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for them at no charge;
o SUPREME COURT: A fair and impartial Supreme Court will be established;
o CENSUS: A once a decade a census will be taken and made public;
o POLITICAL PARTIES: In the “New Jordan”, political parties will be allowed to form, based on established and published criteria. Nonetheless, political parties that are affiliated with radical groups (or ideology), will be banned based on the introduction and passage of Counterterrorism Acts.
Constitutional Implementation – The Government’s Foundation
Establishing the operational foundations for a “New Jordan” is vital to ensure both the safety of its citizens, success, and the country’s future. It is estimated that the government will run the country for an interim period of 2 years. The Constitutional elections will be held after 18 months, with general elections being held in the 24th month. A new government will be sworn in and sit in the 25th month. During that time, a variety of electoral laws and concepts will be adopted that will help establish parliamentary and presidential elections and procedures. Transparency will be included every step of the way.
The presidential elections will be held after the parliament has been elected. The President will be elected by public vote, while a Prime Minister will be elected by the members of the Parliament. In the “New Jordan”, the following concepts will be supported:
· THE VOTE: All Jordanians of legal age, male and female over the age of 18, will have the right to vote;
· POLITICAL PARTIES: The “New Jordan” will develop rules for the creation of political parties;
· OFFICE ELIGIBILITY: Anyone meeting the voting criteria will be eligible to run for president or a seat in the National Assembly regardless of ethnic or sectarian background;
· CRIMINAL RECORDS: Those convicted of a felonious crime or have had any relation to terrorism, not including a traffic infraction or other misdemeanors, are ineligible to vote or run for public office;
· GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE: The Jordanian government will consist of
o Three INDEPENDENT branches: The Executive, Legislative and Judiciary;
o Two HOUSES: The Parliament will consist of two houses of government, one called a Senate, and the other called the People’s House;
o Senate: The Senate will retain 3 members from each state or district. They will be voted on directly from each state, as define below;
o PEOPLE’s HOUSE: The People’s House will operate as a Parliament and be open to qualified political Parties. There will be 273 seats in the Parliamentary body, and will be designed to ensure and secure direct representation for all Jordanians regardless of where they are, what sect they are from or what their ethnicity is. The distribution of seats to each party will be based on the population’s concentration, geographic distribution and vote;
o LEADERSHIP: Both houses select leadership and operational rules using Robert’s Rules of Order;
o ORGANIZATION: In the lower house, the party with the largest number of votes will be given the right to create a ruling majority;
o VETO: Like other Parliaments around the world, they will have the ability to override or revoke Presidential decisions with a two-thirds vote;
o STATES RIGHTS: States will be empowered with inherent rights that cannot be abridged by the National Government;
o STATES: All districts will be classified as states and will be responsible for establishing their own Constitutions and governing bodies in accordance to the Constitution. The National Constitution shall override all state Constitutions;
o TERRORISM: In all instances, those convicted of the crimes of either terrorism or incitement shall not be eligible to run for office. Additionally, members of the Muslim Brotherhood shall not be eligible to run for office;
Religious Freedom
The “New Jordan” will recognize the importance of religion to the wellbeing of individuals, and as such, will support religious freedom and association that is constitutionally secured for all people, and will be guaranteed by law. This will be done by:
· CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS: Creating a Constitution and related provisions that ensure the right to practice the religion as each citizen chooses;
· CIVIL STATE: Creating a civil state, one that represents all the people, no matter which religion, sex or political party they are;
· ACCEPTANCE: Reinforcing and highlighting the values of acceptance, tolerance and love within the state’s religious education at public schools.