The International Federation for Rights and Development (IFRD) strongly condemns the reported arrest and detention of journalist Mohammed Faraj by Jordan’s General Intelligence Directorate, following his return to Jordan from Beirut. Reports indicate that Mr. Faraj was stopped upon arrival and detained without transparent public clarification of the legal basis for his detention, raising serious concerns regarding due process, personal liberty, and his ability to contact his family and legal counsel.
IFRD stresses that any deprivation of liberty must be grounded in clear legal authority, subject to independent judicial oversight, and accompanied by the full set of procedural safeguards—most importantly: promptly informing the person of the reasons for arrest, guaranteeing access to a lawyer, enabling family contact, and ensuring the right to challenge the legality of detention.
This case, as reported, appears consistent with a broader and deeply concerning pattern of pressure on freedom of expression and the media sector in Jordan, including the targeting of journalists and public figures for content-related matters. In this context, IFRD is alarmed by earlier cases reported in the public domain—such as the arrest of media figure Mohammed Al-Wakeel linked to the publication of a drawing—reflecting an escalating climate of intimidation and the curtailment of legitimate expression.
IFRD therefore calls on the Jordanian authorities to:
1. Immediately release Mohammed Faraj unless there are clear, publicly stated charges that meet international fair trial standards.
2. Disclose without delay his whereabouts and legal status, and guarantee his physical and psychological safety.
3. Ensure immediate and unhindered access to legal counsel of his choosing, and facilitate family contact and visits.
4. End the use of arrest and security detention as tools to suppress expression, and ensure that any legitimate legal processes are conducted transparently, under judicial supervision, and in full compliance with international human rights obligations.
IFRD reiterates that protecting journalists is not a privilege for a profession; it is a safeguard for society’s right to information and accountability. Any assault on journalists undermines the public space and the fundamental freedoms required for a stable, rights-respecting state.
Issued in Brussels, 19 December 2025.
