Jordan Media Institute (JMI) organized a seminar entitled “The National Multi-Sector Plan for Curbing Violence against Children, and Article 62 of the Penal Code which allows Parents to Beat their Children”.
The seminar, held in cooperation with UNICEF, is part of a series of seminars that aim to increase media awareness about issues pertaining to protecting children from violence.
Judge and Inspector at the Judicial Inspection Department Ayyoub Sawa’eer said that although Article “62” of the Penal Code allows parents to discipline their children, it is practically inapplicable. This is due to restrictions in the text, explained the judge, adding that any disciplinary action that causes physical or psychological harm, has legal consequence.
The article is not being enforced “because all disciplinary actions lead to harm, even if traditions allow for that,” said the judge. He explained that what was acceptable in the sixties of the previous century cannot be accepted today. The conviction of judges is based on the facts and details of the case, Sawa’eer added.
Ilham Abu-Libdeh from Justice Center for Legal Aid called for abolishing the article, “given that it does not provide for a clear criteria for harm,” noting that not all parents have the same level of self-control when dealing with their children".
She said that complaints involving children who were subject to harm are problematic. Abu Libdeh also noted that the Family Protection Department does not refer children who complain of violence to the judiciary. Added to that, some judges insist on implementing the articles included in the Penal Code, although Jordan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child which should supersede, said the expert.
Journalist Nadeen Nimri who facilitated the discussion pointed to cases of violence against children, which she covered for Alghad newspaper, and where violence led to the child’s death. She also talked about court rulings and noted that families of the victims considered violence to be part of disciplining the child.