CAIRO, March 11, 2008 (HRinfo/IFEX) – HRinfo has denounced decisions announced by the Jordanian Ministry of the Interior increasing restrictions on Internet cafes in Jordan, on the pretext of maintaining security, by installing cameras to monitor users of these cafés. HRinfo also emphasized that these procedures are a real retreat from freedom to use the Internet and the right to exchange information.

The Jordanian Ministry of the Interior has recently issued new instructions for monitoring Internet cafes, which are widespread throughout Jordanian cities, obliging Internet cafe owners to install cameras at the front of their businesses in order to facilitate identification of Internet users.

In addition to the cameras, HRinfo notes that the new security measures oblige Internet cafe owners to register the users' personal data such as their names, telephone numbers and time of use, as well as the IP number of the café and data on the websites explored by the users.

The newly-announced policies on "organizing the work of internet cafes" also include obliging internet cafés owners to install censorship programs to prevent access to websites containing pornographic material, or those offending religious beliefs or promoting the use of drugs or tobacco.

It should be noted that Jordan is one of many Arab countries where Internet cafes are widespread. Shafiq Rashidat Street (University Street) in Irbid City has even been registered in the Guinness Book of Records as having the highest number of Internet cafes on one street. It has more than 130 Internet cafes, although the street length does not exceed 2000 metres.

An earlier HRinfo report expressed cautious optimism about Jordan, as the decisions on "organizing the work of internet cafes and centers" were becoming more flexible regarding the terms and conditions that apply to these centers.

HRinfo denounces such decisions, which violate the right to exchange information and the privacy of Internet users, and calls on the Jordanian government to reconsider such arbitrary decisions which would lead Jordan to join the ranks of those countries which are hostile to freedom of access to Internet.

For more information, see the following HRinfo documents:

- The Internet in Jordan (2004 report): http://www.hrinfo.org/en/reports/net2004/jordan.shtml
- The Internet in Jordan (2006 report): http://www.openarab.net/en/reports/net2006/jordan.shtml

For further information contact Gamal Eid, Executive Director, HRinfo, Apartment 10, No. 5, Street 105, from Midan al Hurriya, al Maadi, Cairo, Egypt, tel/fax: +202 524 9544, e-mail: info@hrinfo.net, gamal4eid@yahoo.com, Internet: http://www.hrinfo.net/en

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of HRinfo. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit HRinfo.
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