JORDAN: ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND DISSIDENTS

UNCLAS AMMAN 001359 SIPDIS FOR DRL/SEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM JO SUBJECT: JORDAN: ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND DISSIDENTS OUTREACH REQUEST REF: A. STATE 44903 ¶B. 07 AMMAN 3209 ¶C. 07 AMMAN 2908 ¶D. AMMAN 255 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Amman is in constant contact with democracy and human rights activists within Jordan, and has occasional contacts with the small numbers of dissidents (mainly Syrian) who reside in Amman. Post is actively engaged in promoting the spread of democratic practices and values at all levels of the Jordanian government. Embassy Amman also has a close working relationship with the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR),a quasi-governmental watchdog which works on a wide variety of democracy and governance issues in Jordan. ¶2. (SBU) Since our last report on support for the freedom agenda (Ref B),the Ambassador and DCM each hosted a roundtable discussion for Jordanian civil society leaders and human rights activists (Refs C and D). These discussions were very much appreciated by local activists, who used them to comment on the pace of reform in Jordan and in the region, as well as to develop a common approach towards the advancement of their political vision. The Ambassador also hosted a reception for Women's History Month which featured a wide variety of activists who are working for an increased role for women in Jordan's democratic and societal development. ¶3. (SBU) Through USAID and MEPI programs, the Embassy is working to empower civil society leaders in Jordan to make a difference in their communities and make their voices heard in the corridors of power. For example, a MEPI small grant to an NGO in Zarqa focused on efforts to get out the vote among women in the November 2007 parliamentary elections. At a regional MEPI alumni conference in February, democracy activists and civil society organizations from around the Middle East gathered in Amman to share their experiences and chart a way forward. USAID-funded groups were very active in the November 2007 parliamentary elections, monitoring the balloting process and advocating for a wider role for civil society in the process. USAID also continues its work with the Government of Jordan to expand its comfort zone with civil society. ¶4. (SBU) In October 2007, the Ambassador met with Obaida Fares of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy. Mr. Fares is essentially barred from working in Syria, and promotes reform in his home country from Amman. ¶5. (U) Embassy Amman reporting on democracy and internal reform issues has increased dramatically due to the addition of a transformational diplomacy position in the political section devoted to advancing the freedom agenda. The direct result of this additional resource base is increased interaction with democracy activists, a broader reach for Embassy efforts to promote internal reform, and new points of view that help to enrich Embassy Amman's products. HALE