The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) on Tuesday released its 22nd annual report on the state of human rights in Jordan in 2025, reviewing civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the rights of groups requiring greater protection. The report also examined key developments, challenges and recommendations during the year.

According to the report, reviewed by Al Mamlaka, the NCHR received 856 complaints in 2025, up from 709 in 2024. Of these, 590 concerned civil and political rights, 219 related to economic, social and cultural rights, and 47 concerned the rights of groups requiring greater protection.

The Centre said the Prime Minister had issued a circular calling on relevant authorities to follow up on its recommendations and develop the necessary plans to implement them. The NCHR has also adopted a new approach to monitoring the implementation of its recommendations, based on specific timelines and measurable indicators.

Freedom and personal security

Under the right to freedom and personal security, the number of people placed under administrative detention rose to 22,620 in 2025, compared with 20,437 in 2024. The number of inmates in correction and rehabilitation centres also increased to 26,303, from 25,148 the previous year.

At the same time, the number of decisions imposing alternatives to detention rose sharply to 6,327, compared with approximately 2,176 in 2024.

The NCHR renewed its recommendation to repeal Crime Prevention Law No. 7 of 1954. Until a consensus is reached on its repeal, the Centre called for amendments to the law to limit the use of detention, alongside expanding alternatives to detention and non-custodial sentences.

Right to life and physical safety

The report recorded a decline in suicide cases, from 166 in 2024 to 156 in 2025. Eighteen of the cases involved people aged between 15 and 18.

Deaths and injuries caused by heating-related suffocation also declined. The report recorded 91 such incidents in 2025, resulting in 182 injuries and 14 deaths, compared with 225 incidents, 562 injuries and 20 deaths in 2024.

In contrast, drowning cases increased to 203, compared with 173 the previous year. Dog-bite cases also rose to 9,586, from 9,345 in 2024.

Two deaths were recorded in 2025 as a result of celebratory gunfire.

Drug-related offences

The report recorded a significant decline in drug-related offences, including possession, use and trafficking. The number fell to 25,776 cases in 2025, compared with 38,782 in 2024.

Freedom of expression and the digital environment

In the area of freedom of opinion and expression and the digital environment, the Cybercrime Unit dealt with 29,389 cases in 2025, compared with 24,737 in 2024.

The Information Council received 24 complaints during the year, up from six complaints in 2024.

The NCHR also documented 2,869 sit-ins, marches, work stoppages, solidarity vigils, public rallies, gatherings and protests during 2025.

The Centre recommended reviewing the Public Meetings Law, establishing safeguards governing authorities' powers to disperse gatherings, and raising public awareness of the right to peaceful assembly.

Labour rights

In the area of labour rights, 29 collective labour agreements were concluded, benefiting 218,011 workers.

The NCHR recommended conducting regular national surveys on child labour, developing a plan to reintegrate working children into schools, and strengthening inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with workers' rights and occupational health and safety standards.

Education

The Centre recommended strengthening programmes aimed at reducing school dropout rates, providing free educational platforms, and enhancing oversight and inspections of schools.

The report said 250 public schools had all the necessary accessibility and reasonable accommodation measures for persons with disabilities.

It also recorded 30,200 students with disabilities enrolled in primary and secondary education during the 2024/2025 academic year.

Health sector

The report noted continued expansion of the Hakeem electronic health programme, as well as the opening of the Jordan Digital Health Centre in Al-Salt District.

At the same time, it highlighted a number of challenges facing mental health services, including shortages of multidisciplinary staff, deficiencies in some infrastructure, and the high cost of consultations at private psychiatric clinics.

Rights of groups requiring greater protection

Regarding groups requiring greater protection, the NCHR highlighted legislative developments related to women's rights.

It called for stronger protection of children from digital violence and child labour, greater integration of disability issues into national plans, improved services and accessibility measures for persons with disabilities, and further development of care policies and services for older persons.

The Centre said its annual reports are intended to assess the state of human rights, highlight positive developments and identify ongoing challenges, ultimately producing specific recommendations that can be measured, implemented and monitored.