Jordan urged to ease travel restrictions on Gazans

Ramallah: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Jordanian Government to approve requests from Gazans seeking to transit through Jordan in order to travel between Gaza and third countries.

In a letter submitted to Abdullah Ensour, Jordan’s Prime Minister, the HRW said, “It is crystal clear that Gazans found it increasingly difficult to obtain permission to transit via Jordan in order to travel abroad.”

The letter signed by HRW’s executive director Kenneth Roth urged Jordan to facilitate such transit and in cases, Jordan refuses a request for a no objection letter, the HRW asked the Jordanian authorities explain the reasons for the refusal and give applicants a chance to request reconsideration. “In cases of refusal, we ask the Jordanian authorities to clarify how they have considered the human rights implications of the case in question,” read the letter.

“As a party of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Jordan should do everything within its power to ensure the universal application of the Convention’s humanitarian provisions, including protections for civilians living under occupation. The Jordanian authorities should also take care to ensure that their decisions are transparent, free from arbitrariness and take into consideration the human rights of those affected.”

HRW says that the rare openings of Rafah Crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) meets only 8 per cent of Gaza’s travel needs, where “it can be easily concluded that Gazans are virtually barred from travelling abroad for study, work and family reunification”.