Jordan ‘astonished’ at Dutch ambassador’s claims of declining media freedom

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates objects to a statement by Dutch Ambassador, labelling it a violation of diplomatic norms, international laws and UN charters. (Shutterstock)

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates voices objections to statement
• Amman’s foreign policy UAE protests to Netherlands in solidarity with Amman

LONDON: Jordan’s government has said it is “astonished” after the Dutch ambassador in Amman commented on declining media freedom in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates criticized Harry Verweij for weighing in on domestic affairs during a meeting with the minister of information.

On Tuesday, Verweij posted a picture on Twitter where he sat with Minister of Media Affairs Faisal Al-Shboul, saying that he had raised concerns about “Jordan’s declining international ranking on freedom of speech.”

Pleasure meeting HE Min of Media AlShubol. An opp. to discuss issues of common concern, incl the media scene in Jordan. Stressed our strong bilateral relationship, & I shared our concerns on Jordan’s declining international ranking on freedom of speech. ready for cooperation. pic.twitter.com/FOM61zDG7R

— Harry Verweij NLAmbJordan (@HarryVerweij) October 18, 2022

The comment, which also touched upon long-standing friendship between the two countries, prompted an immediate response from the Jordanian ministry.

It said that the ambassador commented about the licensing of a local radio station and its owner, who was neither Jordanian nor Dutch.

The ministry said it deemed the comment “incomprehensible” and said an ambassador representing a friendly country should not interfere in a case governed by laws and regulations with such transparency.

“Jordan is always open to frank dialogue that approaches all issues with all partners and friendly countries through diplomatic channels and direct contact, in accordance with diplomatic norms, but that it does not accept interference in its internal affairs,” a statement on the Petra news agency read.

The incident prompted the UAE to summon the Dutch ambassador in Abu Dhabi, Lody Embrechts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had “informed him of the UAE’s strong protest and denunciation of the interference” in “internal affairs.”

“The ministry affirmed the UAE’s solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and expressed its strong protest against the irresponsible statement breaching diplomatic norms.”

Jordan was ranked 120 out of 180 countries in this year’s World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, an NGO. 

While that represented a rise of nine places on the previous year, the country’s overall outlook was downgraded from the “problematic” category to “difficult,” reflecting a global trend of declining media freedom.