The Socialist 6 April 2011

Cuts wreck people's lives

Cuts wreck people's lives

Tory health plans are sick

Bosses prepare for war on public sector workers

Labour Link won't save jobs and services

Housing benefit cuts start to bite

Bristol meeting - The battle of our lives has begun

On the move in London to fight the cuts

Fight the cuts with TUSC: more than just a 'protest vote'

Austerity measures take away the basics

Labour 'campaigning' - casework style

Fast news

1981 Brixton riots

Ireland's economy on the brink

Jordan: 'Reforms' fail to halt growing opposition

Saltend lock-out - Solidarity strike spreads

Call for strikes to stop Ford attack on pensions

Birmingham prison officers determined to fight privatisation

Prison officers fight prison privatisation: Interview with POA assistant secretary, Joe Simpson

Teachers and council workers strike together in Tower Hamlets

Leeds Unison - fighting the cuts

Pay cuts provoke strike

School students stage anti-cuts strike in Dundee

Leicester: still angry with Clegg

Save Hackney youth services!

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Jordan: 'Reforms' fail to halt growing opposition

CWI reporter Amman, Jordan

On Friday 25 March, more than 1,500 demonstrators demanding reforms clashed with a group of government supporters in the centre of Amman, the capital city of Jordan. They threw stones at each other until police forces charged in and started beating protesters with batons. One person was killed and more than 100 injured.

This is the most violent event that has taken place, so far, in Jordan, over the last few weeks of demonstrations.

Demonstrations have been relatively small and peaceful in Jordan, in comparison to those in other Arab countries, and have not been calling for the removal of King Abdullah II. Now protesters say they will intensify their struggle and they are determined to take it much further, until their demands are met by the government.

The campaign was launched on 24 March, as a peaceful sit-in protest at the Interior Ministry circle in the centre of Amman, by a group of young people inspired by the Egyptian, Tunisian and Libyan revolutions under the banner, 'March 24th Movement' and was mostly coordinated through Facebook.

Their demands are for political reforms and better living and working conditions. They call for an end to corruption and autocracy, as well as the removal of prime minister Marouf al-Bakhit. They also demand the dismantling of the feared 'Intelligence' (secret police).

Regime 'reforms'

"There is no trust to anyone in this government. We want to be able to have a say about who is representing us, we ask for a real vote", one young unemployed said. The most popular slogan, so far, is: 'Grandfather was a Palestine martyr, Father was al-Karama martyr, Brother is a duty martyr, I am a liberty and corruption martyr'.

A few days ago, King Abdullah II and al-Bakhit publicly pledged new reform policies as a sign of good will towards the uprisings.

The key points of those reforms include a call for the elimination of corruption; an end to interference in student unions and for freedom of political beliefs at universities, to take practical steps within three months to revive the economy and create jobs; to ensure social justice; to put in place measures to attract foreign investments, especially from Arab countries, and for judicial independence.

No matter what reforms the government gives because of fear of more uprisings, the majority of Jordanians have no trust in this government whatsoever and are fully determined to fight until they see real changes.

It is necessary to translate the growing desire for change among youth into demands for fundamental change that challenge the regime.