The European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing human rights, good governance, and democratic reforms during the 14th meeting of the EU-Jordan Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratisation, and Governance held in Amman on Monday.

The meeting, held within the framework of the EU-Jordan Association Agreement (2002) and EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities (2021–2027), also built on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed between the two sides in January 2025.

Discussions covered key areas including the rule of law, equality, and non-discrimination. Officials from both parties reviewed progress made in recent years, acknowledged continuing challenges, and pledged to strengthen cooperation in promoting shared democratic values.

Jordanian representatives presented updates on ongoing political and judicial reforms, highlighting efforts to develop a multi-party system and broaden the participation of women, youth, and other underrepresented groups in public life.

The EU reiterated its support for Jordan’s political modernization agenda, including assistance for judicial reforms and implementation of the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission.

Both sides emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the protection of civic space, highlighting that an enabling environment is crucial for civil society organizations to operate independently. In this context, the two parties discussed the implementation of Jordan’s Cybercrime Law, enacted in August 2023.

The meeting also addressed issues of gender equality, non-discrimination, and the rights of individuals in vulnerable situations. The EU commended Jordan’s leadership in hosting large numbers of refugees, particularly from Syria, and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both refugee and host communities.

The EU further expressed readiness to continue assisting Jordan in implementing its Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as initiatives stemming from the Amman-Berlin Declaration and commitments made at the third Global Disability Summit.

Both sides reiterated their principled positions on the death penalty and reaffirmed the absolute prohibition of torture. They also agreed to intensify cooperation and explore joint initiatives at the regional and international levels to uphold international law, human rights, and the UN Charter.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Saja Majali, Director of the Directorate of Human Rights at the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Alessio Cappellani, Head of Division for Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria at the European External Action Service (EEAS).