Khaberni - Commenting on the amended project for the Sharia Execution Law for the year 2025
which was presented to the House of Representatives for discussion and study
and the damage inflicted on about 11,000 people, imprisoned fathers struggling with multiple alimonies ..!!??
and the conflicting and controversial opinions of some deputies, playing on political emotions and hidden alliances to achieve personal interests.... ?!
Let us first agree that being in debt does not make one a criminal in all laws, customs, and divine religions..
The abolishment of imprisonment for those unable to pay multiple alimonies and dowries is a constitutional, legal, and human right in accordance with international agreements signed with the Jordanian state, and this amendment project came late; it should have been years ago to protect the family and community,,
Even though alternative penalties serve the ultimate purpose and goal
Imprisonment is not a solution, it has no benefit, nor does it serve any interest, and it burdens the state treasury with the expenses of the sentenced!!
But some deputies held another opinion .... ?!
This amendment, if realized, serves community and family interests and may help control the alarming family disintegration seen in recent years..
Regarding this, I am surprised by the opinion and comment of some honourable deputies, which linked abolishing imprisonment for this category specifically with the loss of women and children rights!!
They restricted the issue to electronic monitoring, stating it is not a solution or an alternative...??
Whereas abolishing imprisonment offers other alternative penalties that surround the debtor from all sides and force him to seek settlement and solution with the other party like property seizure, salary if available, and even electronic wallets and bank accounts, and travel bans,,
And even electronic monitoring itself is a very strict punishment restricting individuals' freedom within their areas, similar to house arrest...
The strange paradox is that these same deputies had another opinion regarding those in civil debt and were repeatedly demanding general forgiveness for various crimes and expanding the scope of alternative punishments!!
Regarding the opinion that talks about the loss of women's, divorced women's, and their children's rights..
It is an opinion contrary to reality and truth, and it is at odds with the public interest, human rights, the Jordanian Constitution, international agreements, and the royal vision,,
The Judge of Judges Department has addressed all these matters within the developmental plan and for many years, the department has established and innovated what is called the (Jordanian Alimony Lending Fund) to assist women in collecting alimony for their children and their support
If the conditions are met and the fund discerns the other party's failure to pay and delay in expenses, and it turns out that the mother providing is unable to spend on her children and has no other source of income
Appreciating the situation and its sensitivity, the fund's response comes quickly to approve her request and give her children's due alimony
In its role, the fund later legally demands the other party "the father"..
And several agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development, the National Aid Fund, the Ministry of Awqaf and the Zakat Fund, and through programs in Ammon, periodically support the women providing for their children, achieving the goals of protecting social, family protection, and women providing for their children specifically,,
Therefore, we see that amending the Sharia Execution Law and abolishing imprisonment in this law with ensuring the finding of alternative punishments
does not harm women and children and their rights as some claim and sensationalize,,
This amendment achieves Sharia justice, national interest, and societal and family stability and gives struggling fathers an opportunity to earn, work, and find solutions to support their children..
It could also motivate and encourage parents to reunite their families afresh, which is in the best interest of the child primarily,,
Also, it may contribute to reducing the anxiety and fear of unfair laws among young people reluctant to marry and decreasing the rate of spinsterhood that threatens societal and family stability and forewarns of severe societal problems in the long term,,
Lastly, I say that women are the foundation of society and its core; my mother, sister, wife, and daughter.. their dignity is our dignity; if their status is good, our homes, families, and society are stable..
May God protect our country, its people, men and women, and their peace and stability from all harm and evil.
Political Activist*
