The Jordanian government has recently decided to make an amendment to the Crime Prevention Law. The aim of the draft law is to limit and regulate the tribal jalwa (forced relocation) and reduce its disadvantages. Jalwa is applied when a certain clan is forced to relocate immediately if one of its members commits murder, or what is seen as an encroachment upon honor (such as rape) so that lives and properties of the aggressor’s clan are saved from any revenge assault. The draft law raises a number of observations, namely:
First: It has marginalized human rights demands regarding the cons of the Crime Prevention Law No. (7) for the year (1954). It gives the administrative governor discretionary powers of administrative detention.
Second: The proposed amendment practically aims to legally sanction the jalwa under the guise of reducing some of its repercussions. Under the amendment, jalwa would include only the offender, his sons, and his father, and for two years subject to renewal.
Third: The amendment is intended to enhance and expand the powers of the administrative governor, rather than limit them.
Another justification is that the powers of the administrative governor play an important role in resolving honor-related issues. The governor orders the detention of some girls and women in order to save their lives when the girl or woman is absent from her home or when she’s done her time for an adultery offense or any other honor-related offenses.
There is no doubt that this draft law will enhance the social status of the administrative governor and facilitate his tasks.