Jordanian MPs clashed at a parliamentary session during a debate on equality between men and women in connection with constitutional reform, AFP reported, quoted by BTA.
The government wants to change the constitution to include a mention of “Jordanians” in Chapter Two, entitled “Rights and Duties of Jordanians”, which also talks about equality of 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 could mean “shame” or “dishonor”, AFP notes.
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.
In the end, the meeting was postponed until tomorrow. No one was injured in the fight, Reuters reports. Other constitutional changes that need to be discussed. Include the creation of a National Security Council and the limitation of the term of the Speaker of Parliament from two years to one.
Jordan’s constitution, adopted in 1952 by King Talal, the grandfather of the current King Abdullah II, has been amended 29 times. According to experts, these amendments have strengthened the powers of the monarch to the detriment of parliament, AFP notes.
