Rights group urges US, EU to place conditions on Jordan funding
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
An international human rights watchdog called on the United States and the European Union on Monday to hold back funding to Jordan unless the country reforms laws restricting freedom of assembly and association.
Human Rights Watch said both donors have promised to assist Jordan in developing its democratic institutions and strengthening civil society but have provided funding without demanding necessary reforms.
"It's a futile exercise of misplaced philanthropy for the US and EU to be rewarding Jordan for continuing to restrict the activities of civil society groups," HRW Mideast Director Sarah Leah Whitson said in a press statement. "The US and EU should withhold funds to the government until the unnecessary restrictions are lifted."