Palestinian-Jordanian journalist jailed for expressing her support for Palestine
Name(s):
Hiba Abu Taha
Status:
Detained
Profession:
Investigative journalist
Nationality:
Palestinian-Jordanian
Date of arrest:
Hiba Abu Taha is a Palestinian-Jordanian freelance investigative journalist who was arrested on May 13, 2024 after publishing an article and an investigative report criticising Jordan’s foreign policy and the authorities’ decision to intercept Iranian missiles aimed at Israel in April 2024.
Hiba Abu Taha is a Palestinian-Jordanian freelance investigative journalist who was arrested by security forces without prior notice on May 13, 2024 while she was driving her car in the town of Ain al-Basha, northwest of Amman. Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the Jordanian Media Commission, a governmental agency responsible for enforcing press laws and regulations, accusing Abu Taha of "inciting sedition and discord among members of the community", of "threatening the peace of the community" and of "inciting violence”. The complaint was filed a few days after the publication of Abu Taha’s article on the Lebanese online media outlet Annasher, “Jordan’s role in defending the enemy entity”, in which she criticised Jordan for intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel and the Jordanian government’s foreign policy.
Abu Taha was moved between multiple police directorates until she was transferred to Juwaida Correction and Rehabilitation Centre, where she is currently held.
On May 28, 2024, the prosecutor refused to release Abu Taha on bail.
On June 11, 2024, the Soloh Court in Amman sentenced her to one year in prison under article 15 of the Cybercrime Law for “using the information technology and information network or social media platforms to spread false news, or insult or defame a governmental authority or official body”, as well as under article 17 of the Law for “inciting strife or sedition or threatening societal peace or inciting hatred or violence”.
On June 23, 2024, Abu Taha’s lawyer appealed the verdict. However, the appeals court confirmed the verdict and sentence on the same day without holding a hearing session. The one-year imprisonment sentence issued by the Appellate Court is final under Jordanian procedural law.
The case of Abu Taha is the longest prison term documented by human rights organisations under the new Cybercrime Law that was enacted by the Jordanian government in August 2023, and came into effect in September 2023.
On December 18, 2024, MENA Rights Group submitted a general allegation to UN Special Procedures regarding the crackdown on pro-Palestine activists in Jordan, which includes Abu Taha’s case.
| Name(s): |
Hiba Abu Taha
|
| Status: |
Detained
|
| Profession: |
Investigative journalist
|
| Nationality: |
Palestinian-Jordanian
|
| Date of arrest: |
|
Hiba Abu Taha is a Palestinian-Jordanian freelance investigative journalist who was arrested by security forces without prior notice on May 13, 2024 while she was driving her car in the town of Ain al-Basha, northwest of Amman. Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the Jordanian Media Commission, a governmental agency responsible for enforcing press laws and regulations, accusing Abu Taha of "inciting sedition and discord among members of the community", of "threatening the peace of the community" and of "inciting violence”. The complaint was filed a few days after the publication of Abu Taha’s article on the Lebanese online media outlet Annasher, “Jordan’s role in defending the enemy entity”, in which she criticised Jordan for intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel and the Jordanian government’s foreign policy.
Abu Taha was moved between multiple police directorates until she was transferred to Juwaida Correction and Rehabilitation Centre, where she is currently held.
On May 28, 2024, the prosecutor refused to release Abu Taha on bail.
On June 11, 2024, the Soloh Court in Amman sentenced her to one year in prison under article 15 of the Cybercrime Law for “using the information technology and information network or social media platforms to spread false news, or insult or defame a governmental authority or official body”, as well as under article 17 of the Law for “inciting strife or sedition or threatening societal peace or inciting hatred or violence”.
On June 23, 2024, Abu Taha’s lawyer appealed the verdict. However, the appeals court confirmed the verdict and sentence on the same day without holding a hearing session. The one-year imprisonment sentence issued by the Appellate Court is final under Jordanian procedural law.
The case of Abu Taha is the longest prison term documented by human rights organisations under the new Cybercrime Law that was enacted by the Jordanian government in August 2023, and came into effect in September 2023.
On December 18, 2024, MENA Rights Group submitted a general allegation to UN Special Procedures regarding the crackdown on pro-Palestine activists in Jordan, which includes Abu Taha’s case.
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