Following the attacks on September 11, the kingdom of Jordan issued new laws imposing limitations on the freedom of expression and the right of assembly. This legislation was passed without it being voted on in the Jordanian Parliament. Although Jordan has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and has acceded to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Punishment, these new laws along with the continued incommunicado detention where torture has been known to occur break with the international standards.
The new Penal Code introduced two weeks after Sept. 11 provides a lose definition of terrorism, restricts the freedom of the press and expands the scope of offenses punishable by death penalty and life imprisonment. The Law Amending the Penal Code became effective on October 2, 2001 after being approved by the King Abdallah bin Hussein of Jordan.