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Jordan's Troubling Detour
(Los Angeles Times) - Toujan Faisal and Ian Urbina When Washington cites examples of the potential for reform and democracy in the Arab world, Jordan is one of the first countries mentioned. In elections last month for parliament, voter turnout topped 52% and Islamists took part in the elections rather than boycotting them. Six parliamentary spots were specially set aside for women. Yet Jordan is still a long way off from embracing true democratic reform. At the heart of the problem are the "temporary laws" the Jordanian government has decreed over the last two years containing a wide range of domestic restrictions. Public gatherings require a three-day-advance permit, which is almost never given. Criticism of "friendly" nations is a crime prosecuted before a military court. Reporters who write stories critical of the government now face up to three years in prison. In expanding the parliament's size from 80 to 110 seats, the regime watered down its critics by concentrating the new seats in the south and west where regime support is strong. The north and central voting districts, where the bulk of the Palestinian population resides, are sorely underrepresented. Amman has roughly one parliament member for each 52,255 voters, whereas the city of Karak has a parliament member for every 6,000 voters.