MEPs clashed at a meeting of the Jordanian parliament after a heated debate on equality between men and women in connection with constitutional reform, AFP reported.
The government wants to change the constitution to include a mention of “Jordanians” in Chapter Two, entitled “Rights and Obligations of Jordanians”, which also talks about equality in citizens’ rights.
Several lawmakers have spoken out against the change, calling it “useless”. “For us, the word ‘Jordanian’ is to be added, ‘” said Raed Smeirat, using an Arabic word with negative connotations. In this context, it can mean “shame” or “dishonor.”
The statement angered Parliament Speaker Abdelkarim ad Dagmi, who apologized.
Another MP, Suleiman Abu Yahya, asked Ad Dagmi to close the session, but was refused. Abu Yahya, in turn, accused the speaker of parliament of “not understanding anything”. Ad Dagmi then asked him to leave the hall, which led to a brawl involving several deputies.
The meeting was postponed, no one was injured in the fight.
Jordan’s constitution, adopted in 1952 under King Talal, the grandfather of the current King Abdullah II, has been amended 29 times. According to experts, these amendments have strengthened the monarch’s powers to the detriment of parliament.
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