US embassy cable - 04AMMAN3504

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003504 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, PREF, KPAL, JO 
SUBJECT: THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ONE YEAR LATER 
 
REF: 03 AMMAN 4538 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for reason 1.5 (d) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: The National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) 
has begun to improve Jordan's domestic human rights situation 
through education and influencing the GOJ's decision last 
year to admit several hundred refugees from Iraq. Despite 
centralized decision-making that has led to some internal 
personality clashes and a still evolving role, the Center has 
proved an effective partner in USG efforts to promote human 
rights in Jordan. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) As it nears one full year in operation, the NCHR has 
had a small, but noticeable positive impact on human rights 
in Jordan. Best known thus far for its domestic educational 
programs with government employees, parliamentarians, and 
students, the NCHR also claims some credit for the GOJ 
decision to admit 386 Iraqi Palestinians into Jordan from the 
UNHCR refugee camp at Ruweished. In fact, when asked, Center 
staff list this as their greatest accomplishment last year, 
though other sources, while corroborating NCHR involvement, 
point out that many other parties were involved in 
influencing this GOJ action. Staff have said privately that 
the greatest number of complaints brought to their attention 
thus far relate to Jordanian citizenship claim issues. They 
also admit that few cases have been resolved, largely because 
NCHR's ability to advocate in individual cases is legally and 
bureaucratically limited. 
 
3. (SBU) The Center continues to search for new foci for its 
efforts and, given its limited budget, staff pitch "niche 
projects" to potential international donors, hoping to expand 
the Center's reach. After a few months of operation, the NCHR 
had recommended amendments to the law defining its functions. 
Still under discussion at the Prime Ministry, these changes 
include more independence through limited immunity for its 
employees, and legal authority to initiate and pursue court 
cases on behalf of individuals. In a lengthy newspaper 
interview published on May 3, Ahmad Obeidat, Chairman of the 
Board of Trustees, announced that the NCHR would issue 
quarterly reports on prisoners and prison conditions in 
Jordan, with the first one due for release soon. 
 
4. (C) Though it has a Commissioner General and Executive 
Director, the NCHR is dominated by Obeidat, and several 
individuals have complained about his virtually dictatorial 
management style. Board member Nancy Bakir told Poloff that 
Obeidat makes all policy decisions, with only day-to-day 
business left to the Board (Note: with the full-time staff 
presumably having even less authority). While some praise 
Obeidat's ability to get things done, especially given his 
contacts as former prime minister and head of the General 
Intelligence Directorate, most feel that the NCHR is too much 
under his thumb. According to Bakir, personality conflicts 
with Obeidat were the reason behind the recent resignation of 
a board member. Rumors also persist that Commissioner General 
Walid Sadi is unhappy with his lack of independence and is 
waiting only for a better job offer before he resigns. A 
human rights consultant with decades of experience at Amnesty 
International who met with the NCHR last week pointed out the 
lack of any real strategic planning, which she attributed 
largely to staff hesitancy to act without "His Excellency's" 
(Obeidat's) blessing. At the same time, she was impressed 
with the diligence and sincerity of the staff and marveled at 
the welcome and access she received. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT: In fact, the Center's centralized 
decision-making is no different than that found in other 
Jordanian bodies (even NGOs) and it has so far not hindered 
post's ability to work with the Center on a number of fronts, 
including organizing the human rights consultant's recent 
visit. The Center has sought out our input and assistance and 
we plan to continue our cooperation. 
 
Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ or through the 
Department of State's SIPRNET site. 
GNEHM