Kuwait Extends US$63M to Zim - Beckham says 99 percent sure to stay at Real Madrid Saudi Arabia hogs limelight as contractors flock to kingdom - 1500 muslim pilgrims stranded at Saudi Arabia - Wary Iranian investors look to UAE in the wake of growing nuclear crisis - Persian Satellite Broadcast from Dubai Halted.. Police constable attempts suicide, falls unconscious near Assembly - HDFC Standard Life records impressive growth - Wary Iranian investors look to UAE in the wake of growing nuclear crisis

JORDAN: Human rights groups call on government to stop torture

AMMAN, 7 February (IRIN) - On the eve of a meeting between US President George Bush and Jordan's King Abdullah II, rights activists have urged Amman to take steps to end torture, especially that allegedly committed by the General Intelligence Department (GID), the institution responsible for intelligence services in the kingdom. "Jordanian suspects should have the right to receive legal assistance from the first minute they go under detention," Nizam Assaf, the director of the Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) said.

"Detention periods should not exceed 24 hours either," he added. Under Jordanian law, security forces can detain suspects of crimes under the jurisdiction of the State Security Court (SSC) for seven days without charge or access to a lawyer. In almost all cases investigated by international watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW), alleged torture took place during these initial days of detention.

"King Abdullah's reform agenda has won many accolades, but he has not tackled continued serious abuses such as torture," said Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division at HRW. "Reform means not only changing laws but also holding abusers accountable," Stork added. The rights group has received a number of complaints from Jordanians who were subjected to torture or witnessed it at the hands of the GID.

The GID holds suspects incommunicado and interrogates them in its own detention centre, contrary to specific recommendations made by the UN Committee against Torture, which monitors adherance to the Convention Against Torture. Jordan ratified the convention in 1991.While Jordan's government and parliament were discussing new legislation to expand media freedoms and political participation, King Abdullah's reform agenda had stopped short of addressing the deep flaws in Jordan's criminal justice system, said HRW. "Unfortunately, it seems that until now the human rights groups in Jordan have concentrated their efforts in lobbying for those other freedoms," the ACHRS director added.

Access to lawyers, the inadmissibility of confessions obtained by torture, and the prosecution of rights violators are areas of Jordanian law and practice that the government should address urgently, according to HRW. "King Abdullah should order an independent investigation into Jordan's torture problem without delay," Stork said. "Political reforms won't mean much unless citizens can engage in peaceful political activity without fear of arrest and torture," he added.

India Concedes Russias Accession to World Trade Organisation

India and Russia today established a new milestone in bilateral trade and economic relations, with India giving its consent to Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and both sides setting up a Joint Study Group (JSG) to finalise a roadmap for increasing the bilateral trade turnover to US $ 10 billion by 2010. The Protocol on Completion of Bilateral Negotiations on the Accession of Russia to the WTO and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of India and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation were signed here this evening by Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the Government of India and by Mr. German Gref, Minister for Economic Development and Trade, on behalf of the Government of Russian Federation respectively.

Shri Kamal Nath said that India was looking forward to Russia’s early accession to the WTO for further cooperation in the multilateral trade forum on the basis of mutual benefit. The finalisation of the Protocol marks the completion of bilateral negotiations with the Russian Federation in connection with their accession to the WTO. (As per the WTO accession procedures, the member seeking accession is required to negotiate bilaterally with each member country of the WTO).

The MOU provides for the setting up of a Joint Study Group (JSG) with a view to examining the feasibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Russia, besides envisaging increase in bilateral trade turnover to US $ 10 billion by 2010. The JSG is expected to prepare by the end of 2006 a roadmap for achieving a significant increase in mutual trade turnover by diversifying and strengthening bilateral relations in a wide range of areas, particularly trade in goods and services, investment and economic cooperation.

The JSG, to be co-chaired by the Commerce Secretary from the Indian side and his counterpart from the Russian side, is expected to specifically suggest measures to arrest the decline in India’s exports to Russia. Even though bilateral trade is increasing – with growth of 11% in two-way trade in 2004-05 --India’s exports to Russia had been declining over the last few years. (Indo-Russian bilateral trade in 2004-05 was of the order of Rs.8369.85 crore i.e., US $ 1862.81 million (US $ 1.8 billion). Of this, India’s exports to Russia amounted to Rs.2684.33 crore i.e., US $ 597.43 million and India’s imports from Russia valued at Rs.5685.52 crore i.e., US $ 1265.38 million.

Earlier, Shri Kamal Nath had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Gref during which trade issues were discussed. Shri Kamal Nath requested for early finalisation and signing of the draft inter-governmental agreement regarding higher offtake of Indian tobacco by Russia through the purchase of cigarettes / tobacco or procuring of cigarettes from a joint venture proposed to be set up in Russia by any Indian company which would procure tobacco from India. He also requested Mr. Gref to accord protection to “Darjeeling tea” as a geographical indication and to recognise “Assam”, “Nilgiri” and “Indian tea logo” as labels/well known original brands and requested facilitating setting up of joint ventures between Indian tea companies and Russian business houses in order to augment the export of quality tea from India.

Cooperation in diamond trade between Russia and India also figured in the discussions given the fact that India is the largest processing centre of rough diamonds and Russia is one of the world’s largest producers of rough diamonds and, therefore, cooperation in this sector though direct trade would be mutual advantage to both countries. The Protocol for cooperation in diamonds was signed during the visit of President Putin to India in October 2004. In this context, Shri Kamal Nath urged the Russian Minister to expedite the decision agreed by both sides for inclusion of MMTC in the list of regular participants for auction and tenders for selling of rough diamonds by Alrosa (Russian diamond mining company) as also to explore the action taken by the Russian side for setting up a joint venture by Alrosa with MMTC for manufacturing jewellery in India. The Indian side requested Russia to expedite the release of payment due to the Indian exporters and delink this issue from the overall settlement of state credit. The issue of early conclusion of simplified visa procedure agreement to enhance trade and economic cooperation also figured in the deliberations.

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Iran to pay "heavy price" for nuclear weapon ambition: Israel - US oil tanker runs aground - Left demands Par debate on Iran vote - India votes against Iran at IAEA - Iran threatens to close Hormuz in retaliation - Ferry carrying 1,300 sinks in Red Sea - Kerala To Become Testing Center For US Bound Nurses -Gold Reaches 25-Year High as Oil Gains Renew Inflation Concerns -Kama Sutra Worm Set for Attack on Feb. 3 -Ship With 1,400 Sinks In Red Sea -Egypt ferry with 1,400 aboard sinks in Red Sea -Kerala To Become Testing Center For US Bound Nurses - Dont Leave the Country: Indian Nurses urged Emirates to promote Kerala' Kalam praises nursing students of Kerala Rock Music a big hit for Godolphin in Dubai Woods makes his move in Dubai -Saudis, Qatar Pledge $33M to Palestinians -Investors in Qatar will not need sponsorship Al-Jazeera woos India and Pakistan with Urdu service- Search on for missing Indian fishermen in Bahrain Egyptian Ferry Carrying More Than 1,300 Sinks in Red Sea -Former US Official in Iraq to Plead Guilty to Corruption UAE, US resume free trade negotiations -

Iran and UAE explored here Wednesday ways of expanding bilateral trade relations. Student hackers threaten UAE faculties-Help Pours in for Malayali Woman Stranded in the Desert Hut for Two Years -Mass Graves of India - Gangsters, guns and corruption trial: The Dirty Harry of Bombay War Mongering for Peace: Pentagon Prepares to Fight Looooooooooong War - US must kick Middle East oil addiction 'Wash Post' Defends Toles Cartoon That Drew Angry Protest Letter from Joint Chiefs -NRI-owned UAE cos not taxable here - Oman says Iran not interested in nuclear weapons'' production - Dutch held for ‘double murder’ in his country - Over a thousand women report sex attacks by partners Arabs may turn to Hamas - Secular India turned communal? - Jain Studios Ltd. announces launch of 360TV network - Former Mumbai police chief’s bail condition in stamp paper scam case relaxed -India, Oman exploring new areas of coop, says Paswan - Mani Shankar Aiyers Dubai Visit Cancellatiion. Singapore Pearl Energy Holder Sells Stake To UAE's Aabar - Arabs to hold mock trial for Bush, Blair -Sutherland to invest Rs 120cr for BPO facility in Kerala - India, Israel discuss Middle East peace, Iran - Egypt may Urge Hamas to Recognize Israel - Jordanian On-line editor prosecuted

RSS Mouthpiece Attacks Islamic Militancy in Kerala (KM does not share the views expressed by Organiser. This is only a link to an external website)

Audit: U.S.-led occupation squandered aid - Denmark warns on Saudi Arabia trips - Saudi Arabia: End Juvenile Death Penalty -Saudi Arabia criticizes EU threat to cut Hamas-led Palestinian government - Brussels Warns Saudi Arabia over Cartoon Controversy - What is behind Saudi Arabia's overture to India? Four Filipinos await execution in Saudi Arabia and Sabah - MAN Builds Cromoman for Qatar Newspaper to Produce 52 Pages, 40 colour -Exxon Mobil pins big hopes, big money on tiny Qatar- World: Dubai's latest wonder -Kingdom Hotel Investments announces flotation on Dubai stock exchange and LSE - Dubai plans to attract Brazilian investors to its real estate sector Acquittal of ex-Kerala minister upheld - Emirates Today Joins the Gulf Media Fray - Kerala to host National e-Governance Summit next month -Five rapes in one night 'nothing unusual'

Dubai Investments Park sign AED 250 million syndicated loan agreement

Emirates Financial Services and Standard Chartered Bank are the mandated lead arrangers for the transaction

February 06, 2006 Dubai Investments Park Development Company (DIPDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, signed today (Monday, 06 February, 2006) an AED 250 million syndicated loan agreement for the expansion of Dubai Investments Park (DIP), one of the largest industrial-cum-residential developments in the region. The 3-year syndicated term loan facility is structured to finance infrastructure development at DIP. Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Investments, signed contracts with 15 leading banks for the syndicated loan arrangement. Emirates Financial Services - the investment banking subsidiary of Emirates Bank International - and Standard Chartered Bank are the mandated lead arrangers and joint book runners for the transaction.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Khalid Bin Kalban said, “Dubai Investments Park’s state-of-the-art facilities have already attracted a multitude of companies from across the business and industrial spectrum. However, the demand for space at DIP has been only increasing, which persuaded us to expand our facilities. The syndicated loan agreement will ensure that we have an assured pool of funds to realize our goal of transforming the Park into the premier business zone in the region.”

“We are proud to be the Mandated Lead Arranger of this syndicated loan facility,” said Suresh Kumar, CEO of Emirates Financial Services. “DIP is an important business destination, one that is at the forefront of Dubai’s rapid economic development. The fact that the deal was oversubscribed by over two times is testimony to the banking community’s confidence in this landmark project.”

Ray Fergusson, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, said, “The rapid growth of Dubai has brought with it an unprecedented demand for financing facilities. No less than five banks involved in this syndicated loan facility are based outside the UAE, which indicates the strong demand for credit from UAE-based businesses. Through this arrangement, SCB further strengthens the close relationship it shares with Dubai Investments.”

Dubai Investments Park is a multi-phased project being developed at a cost of AED 1.5 billion on a total land area of 3,200 hectares. The Park provides infrastructure facilities to industries that want to set up their facilities without investing in auxiliary facilities. The Park is witnessing a strong demand for land in the Park. DIP offers investors world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities and quality services for manufacturing, housing, academic, research and development, distribution and logistics purposes.

Middle East Aerospace Pavillion to Grow

February 6, 2006 The specialised Middle East Aerospace Pavilion, an industry initiative run by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), the name behind the Dubai air show, will make its Far East debut next month at the Asian Aerospace exhibition being held at Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre from February 21-26.The pavilion has doubled in size since its launch at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK 18 months ago and is 40% bigger than its showing at the Le Bourget aerospace exhibition in Paris last June.

“The steady growth in the pavilion is a reflection of the development of the Middle East’s indigenous aerospace industry and a gradual shift in its mind-set to seek out international opportunities rather than limiting itself to its own back yard,” explained Alison Weller, F&E’s Director Aerospace.“The growth is also testament to the substantial success exhibitors achieved at the Farnborough and Le Bourget showings.”New to the Middle East pavilion for Asian Aerospace are Dubai’s VIP air charter services company JetEx Flight Support, flight planning services provider Hadid International and engine overhaul provider Jordan Airmotive Limited Company (JALCO).

JetEx Flight Support, which owns and operates six executive aircraft, is also a pioneer aviation service provider offering solutions for the operational needs.“Our presence in Singapore will give us increased visibility throughout Asia and gives us an opportunity to meet existing clients and further our business development efforts,” said Mike Wadaa, Sales Manager, JetEx Flight Support.For Hadid International, the Asian Aerospace outing gives it the opportunity to celebrate its 25th anniversary on an international stage.“The pavilion is a great opportunity for us as we are now looking to promote Hadid International in the Far East, which is an emerging aviation market with increasing air traffic and is potentially, a very strong market for us,” said Dr. Ahmad Zuhaili, Regional Manager, Hadid International.

And for JALCO Singapore is its second most important marketing destination after Dubai and the company believes its presence could, in the future, lead other Jordanian companies to follow with a country participation creating a possible ‘pavilion-within-a-pavilion.’“This is a start and it could be a trigger to other Jordanian companies joining us in future Middle East pavilions – much as happened with the Dubai air show,” said JALCO’s Isam M. Farhan.

“For us in particular, we see Singapore as a way of reaching potential customers in Malaysia and Indonesia where there are engines that we could service. The pavilion is the only means we have of participating in Asian Aerospace as it would be just too expensive to try and go it alone.”The Middle East pavilion is a non-profit initiative by F&E to give an international profile to the region’s rapidly expanding aerospace sector.

“Middle East companies were previously conspicuous by their absence at the major international aerospace exhibitions but they are now gaining greater media, trade and business exposure through the pavilion. The pavilion is part of F&E’s strategy of supporting and partnering the industries it serves and its development has given us a huge sense of achievement.”And pavilion gains have been spelt out by the Small Engines Overhaul Division (SEOD) of Abu Dhabi-headquartered Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company, which has participated in the past two pavilion showings.

“Our experience is that the pavilion is concise and well-organised and its is a cost-effective means of us being present at major international events as the expense is otherwise prohibitive,” said Mike Sweeting, Sales & Marketing Manager, SEOD.As F&E takes on all the organisational requirements of the pavilion, exhibitors are freed from pre-show hassles.“Participants literally arrive on the day, unpack their display and marketing collateral and start selling,” explained Weller.

11 children die in dysentery outbreak in Yemen

SANA, 6 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Health teams in eastern Yemen continued work on Monday to halt the spread of dysentery, from which several children have already died, according to local health officials. The prime symptom of dysentery is diarrhoea containing blood. The illness can be fatal when caused by the shigella bacteria, which has been found in recent cases.

?ore than 400 children have been treated since Saturday, 4 February, in the Khub wa Shath district, where six teams from the Ministry of Health have been working to combat the disease," said Ali Naji Abu Hadra, a health official supervising field teams in al-Jawf province, 167 km east of the capital, Sana.

?here were eleven confirmed cases of death among children in the district of Khub wa Shath up until Monday as a result of the disease,·he added.

Abu Hadra declined, however, to say how many children are already infected, but confirmed that medical teams would carry on working in the affected area.

?e can? estimate how many children are infected in the whole district, but teams will continue until the disease is eradicated,·Abu Hadra said. According to the health ministry, the disease first broke out in al-Jawf province on 2 February.

The shigella bacteria is spread by direct or indirect contact with infected individuals, although food and water may be contaminated by direct or indirect contact with faecal material from infected people. The bacteria is, however, treatable with antibiotics.

Dr Najeeb Ghanim, MP and chairman of a parliamentary committee devoted to public health issues, criticised the ministry for its ?hortcomings·in providing the affected area with adequate medical services and primary health care.?he committee previously visited al-Jawf province,·said Ghanim, ?nd found an almost complete lack of primary health care and medical services.·

He went on to say he would raise the issue in the next meeting of parliament and summon the health minister to explain what measures had been taken to confront the disease. Every year, some 1.1 million people worldwide are estimated to die from the shigella infection, and half of these are said to be children under the age of five, according to data from the World Health Organisation.

IRAQ: Male homosexuality still a taboo

BAGHDAD, 5 February (IRIN) - Living in the shadow of religious pressure and social discrimination, medical student Ahmed Fatah says there's no way he could ever tell anyone about his sexuality."I devote most of my time to my studies to forget about the discrimination I face from society. People see me as a very successful guy, but inside my soul I'm very sad," Fatah said."I'm sad because our society dictates that I must marry one of the girls in the neighbourhood because it's religious law," he added.Homosexuality remains a taboo subject in this Muslim society."What for me is love, unfortunately, is punishable by death," Fatah lamented.

Since 2001, an amendment to the 1990 Penal Code has made homosexual behaviour between consenting adults a crime. In that year, the Revolutionary Command Council issued a decree making the offences of prostitution, homosexuality, incest and rape punishable by death, according to Amnesty International. It is believed that the sudden introduction of the death penalty for these acts was tied to a desire by Saddam Hussein to win the support of Islamic conservatives. The law has not been changed since the US-led invasion of the country.

Under Islamic law, the penalty for men engaging in anal sex is also death.

The new Iraqi constitution provides protection against discrimination on a variety of grounds, including sex, religion, belief, opinion and social and economic status, but fails to explicitly mention homosexuality.

However, Article 17 of the new Iraqi Constitution states that "each person has the right to personal privacy as long as it does not violate the rights of others or general morality".

Nevertheless, discrimination against homosexuals remains rampant.

"Muslims believe that homosexual behaviour is an offence against Islam and anyone who behaves this way should be sentenced to death without compassion," said Sheikh Ali Amar, a cleric at a mosque in the capital, Baghdad.

Under the regime of Saddam Hussein, homosexuality was punished using the harshest of methods, often involving torture.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Human Rights, more than 3,000 men were tortured by Hussein's officials for expressing their sexuality between 1991 and 2003.

"I was taken by the police in 2002 because I was seen with my partner near one of the bridges in the capital at night. We suffered for six months with torture in prison," said Maruan Kalif, who bears both physical and psychological scars.

"They raped me with the most terrible things. as I cried they hit me with their shoes and belts," Kalif recalled grimly. "I survived, but my partner died in front of my eyes."

Kalif's partner died in prison after five days of continuous rape by officials, according to Kalif.

"The Iraqi government needs much more time to open up to the problem of homosexuality, because it's a very sensitive case," commented Hamam Ali, a senior official at the Human Rights Ministry.

So-called "honour killing," the murder of a family member by a relative to protect the family's reputation, often occurs in Iraq when a man is believed to be gay, according to the Human Rights Ministry.

Article 111 of the Iraqi Penal Code exempts from prosecution and punishment men who kill other men or female relatives in defence of their family's honour.

"He who discovers his wife, one of his female relatives committing adultery or a male relative engaged in sodomy and kills, wounds or injures one of them, is exempted from any penalty," the law states.

Fifteen cases of honour killings have been reported in the past two years for crimes against homosexuals in the capital alone, according to a Baghdad-based lawyers' association.Abu Qussay said he killed his son after discovering he was gay. He said he was now considered a hero by his friends."I hanged him in my house in front of his brother to give an example to all of them and prevent them from doing the same," Qussay said proudly.After the father of two was arrested for the murder, he was charged with the killing and then released a month later when his lawyer explained why his client had committed the crime."Killing for honour has been a common practice for years, and a short prison sentence for the killer is common," said Ibraheem Daud, a lawyer specialised in family crimes based in the capital.Since 1994, Daud has been involved with nearly 65 cases of honour killings involving gay men.

Isolated and secret groups have, however, formed locally to provide support to homosexual men, despite popular discrimination."We've set up an organisation to help homosexuals suffering from discrimination and have successfully helped more than 170 people since January 2005," said Mustafa Salim, a spokesman for the Rainbow for Life organisation.Nevertheless, most Iraqi homosexuals expect a long wait before they can openly adopt their preferred lifestyles."I'm not happy," said Fatah. "I don't want to hang around with friends and talk about girls."

Rights groups question handling of ship disaster

CAIRO, 5 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Indignation is growing over the circumstances under which a passenger ship sank in the Red Sea last week. Critics of the government have questioned the ship? seaworthiness, the slow pace of rescue efforts and the lack of information provided to victims·families.

The Al-Salam Bocaccio 89 was carrying 1,414 passengers, mostly Egyptian workers, from the Saudi town of Dubah to the port of Safaga in Egypt when it sank at around midnight on 3 February. So far, at least 448 survivors have been rescued and 190 bodies recovered.

Relatives of the hundreds of passengers still unaccounted for continue to wait in Safaga, some 500km southeast of the capital, Cairo, for information.

On 4 February, doctors read out survivors·names, but no official lists were distributed. Angry relatives then clashed with security forces, throwing rocks at the lines of police barring their way to the port area and hospital.

Bahaeddin Hassan, a member of the National Human Rights Council (NHRC), said the behaviour of security forces was part of a larger pattern of disrespect regarding citizens·rights.

?he behaviour of security forces ·harassing people, ignoring human feelings, ignoring the human right to have basic information about their relatives ·is not a surprise,·said Hassan.

?This is] a common response and a mentality which doesn? respect the basic rights of people.·BR>
According to government officials, the ship sank after a fire broke out on board. The crew reportedly tried to put the fire out rather than turn back to the point of origin.

When the ship sank, none of its 10 lifeboats ·and only a few of its smaller life rafts ·had been deployed.

There are conflicting reports as to whether the ship sent out a distress signal. The first survivors, however, were not picked up until the afternoon of 3 February.

British and US offers of assistance were initially turned down, but later accepted.

Hafez Abu Saeeda, secretary general of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR), said the organisation was sending a team to Safaga on Sunday to investigate the incident.

?he safety of the ship leaves many question marks,·said Abu Saeeda. ?e believe there were mistakes committed by the Ministry of Transportation in checking the ship.·

The government, Abu Saeeda added, did not ?ollow the necessary procedures to keep the ship safe·

The owner of the vessel, Al-Salam Maritime, is a major passenger and cargo company. In 1991, one of its ships sank in the Red Sea killing nearly 500 people. Earlier this year, two passengers died and 40 were injured when another Al-Salam ship sank following a collision.

Some government officials have suggested the ship may not have been seaworthy, but the owner of Al Salam Maritime insists Bocaccio 89 passed a recent inspection.

The question ?s whether the security tests were done properly, without corruption· said Hesham Qassem, publisher of independent daily Al-Masri Al-Youm.

?n practically every disaster we?e had [in the last decade], there? always an element of negligence and lack of application of safety standards.·BR>
?hat? more alarming is how the authorities behave with catastrophes,·said the NHRC? Hassan. ?his isn? the only one, and no serious response had taken place with regard to previous transportation disasters.·

?here is no responsibility, no accountability,·he added.

Hassan listed several transport-related disasters in recent years in which poor maintenance, un-enforced safety standards and a slow, disorganised response were blamed for high casualties.

Critics note that low-income travellers are often the victims of such accidents.

On Sunday, opposition and independent papers expressed outrage. Independent weekly Al-Usbua, for example, asked in a headline: ?he Voyage of Death: Who? Responsible?·

Online, local blogger Mustafa Hussein expressed a common sentiment. ?or the government, those lives are of no value whatsoever,·he wrote.?e have been conditioned to this,·he added. ?e find it normal and acceptable for the government to do a lousy job in everything.·Cairo has said it would launch an investigation into the incident.

"We?e done everything we can do," recently appointed Transportation Minister Muhammad Mansour said on state television. President Hosni Mubarak visited survivors in hospital on 4 February, announcing that each would receive approximately US $2,600 and that families of each victim would receive double that amount.

Charges dropped against on-line editor

AMMAN, 5 February (IRIN) - Human rights groups welcomed the decision by Jordanian authorities to drop charges against an on-line editor for posting articles more than a year ago that criticised the government."We appreciate the government's decision to correct the mistake it made," said Nizam Assaf, director of the Amman Centre for Human Rights. "Everyone in Jordan should be free to express his or her opinion in newspapers or websites."

On 5 January, prosecutors at the State Security Court charged Jamil Abu Baker, editor of the opposition Islamic Action Front party's website, with "belittling the dignity of the Jordanian state". The charge referred to articles posted in December 2004 on the opposition party's webpage.Government spokesman Nasser Judeh confirmed earlier this week that the state had withdrawn the charge of "harming the dignity of the state," but declined to give any reason, according to English-language daily The Jordan Times.

The incriminating editorials, which criticised alleged favouritism in the appointment of senior government officials, were written by IAF MPs Azzam al-Hunaidi and Ali Abu Sukkar.In early 2005, a civilian court dismissed charges against Abu Baker. But while civilian courts are responsible for processing press violations, the State Security Court has jurisdiction over alleged crimes involving state security, including those against "the dignity of the state and national consciousness".

According to Jordanian law, judges are appointed by the prime minister and prosecutors by the military chief of staff.Although the court follows civilian criminal procedures, its lack of independence has given rise to charges of politically motivated prosecutions, says civil liberties monitoring group Human Rights Watch.After describing the government's decision as "the right thing to do", Abu Baker expressed his hope "that the government does not repeat this action anymore"."Taking me to court was unjust," Abu Baker added. "What the government did was an infringement of freedom of expression."The move to prosecute Abu Baker had drawn wide criticism from press freedom organisations and the Muslim Brotherhood Movement.

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