Jordan is a small Arab country in the Middle East consisting of approximately ten million people, and its governmental form is a constitutional monarchy. The government, while exhibiting some elements of democracy, such as a judiciary branch and election of legislative representatives by the people, is still largely an autocratic system.
Prince Hamzah
This was shown when Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein, son of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor, and half-brother of Abdulla II (the current ruler of Jordan), was placed under house arrest by Abdulla II on April 3rd, 2021. Hamzah, along with all his family members and staff, was arrested immediately after he was seen interacting with Jordanian tribal leaders, and the reason given by the government in an official public statement was that he was a threat to “the security and stability of Jordan” (quoted in Indian Express). After his arrest, Hamzah released a video through his lawyer to the BBC in which he spoke out against the current government. He stated that he was not part of any conspiracy against the government but was the victim of an authoritarian regime that tried to silence the free speech of any of its critics--he added that the government had cut off internet and phone service to the palace where he and his family and staff were being held. In the video, Hamzah summed up was he sees as the main problems in Jordan’s present government: “I am not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance, for the corruption, and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years, and has been getting worse by the year.” He presented further criticism of the government as it has been run under Abdullah II, saying that Jordanians’ “wellbeing has been put second by a ruling system that has decided that its personal interests, financial interests, that its corruption is more important than the lives and dignity and future of the 10 million people who live here” (Indian Express).
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Abdullah II
All of these events mark a significant deterioration of democracy in Jordan, which is alarming because it had been seen as a relatively stable state in a turbulent region of the world. Jordanian democracy was never very strong, but it had shown signs of improvement over the past two decades and a general movement toward greater engagement and integration with modern democratic nations of the world.
In spite of Abdullah’s authoritarian response to Hamzah exercising the basic right of free speech, Jordan still maintains support from its Sunni allies Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and more importantly, the United States. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said “We are closely following the reports and are in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support” (Indian Express). This continued US backing of Abdullah II and his government is a clear indication that the US values the overall stability of Jordan and its military and political connections with it very highly and is willing to compromise its democratic ideals to maintain this relationship.
Explained: Who is Prince HAMZAH, put under 'house arrest' in Jordan. (2021, April 05).
Retrieved April 05, 2021, from https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-happening-in-jordan-who-is-prince-hamzah-put-under-house-arrest-7258839/
Kingsley, P., & Sweis, R. (2021, April 06). As Jordan seeks to Quell Royal Feud, allies of prince
remain in detention. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/world/middleeast/jordan-prince-hamzah-allies.html
Population, total - jordan. (n.d.). Retrieved April 06, 2021, from
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=JO
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