VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #1246/01 1540712
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030712Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5210

UNCLAS AMMAN 001246 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF JO
SUBJECT: Child Abuse Fatalities Spark Outrage and Prompt Royal Push 
for Reform 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (U) The recent deaths of two Jordanian children due to child 
abuse has sparked a media firestorm regarding domestic violence and 
generated widespread community outrage, including strong public 
statements from the King and Queen.  Queen Rania expressed concern 
that Jordan has "failed" to adequately protect children and she 
proposed new institutional reforms, including the establishment of a 
national system to electronically register and track all complaints 
of child abuse.  Like honor crimes in Jordan, families are allowed 
to ask for leniency on behalf of the abusers.  Since most abuse 
occurs in the family unit, advocates believe that stronger minimum 
penalties must be established in order to break the cycle of 
violence.  End Summary. 
 
Two Child Deaths Spark Royal Outcry and Action 
------- 
¶2. (U) In February 2009, Qusay, a 2-year-old boy, died of a brain 
hemorrhage due to "shaken baby syndrome."  In April 2009, Yazan, a 
five-year-old boy, was allegedly tortured and died from a "non 
accidental head injury" caused by his aunt.  In the wake of their 
deaths, Jordan's King and Queen voiced their extreme concern over 
the handling of abuse cases. 
 
¶3. (U) Speaking frankly, Queen Rania admitted that Jordan has 
"failed" to protect its children and called on government 
institutions to take action to prevent child abuse.  Contacts tell 
us that the cases of both of the children were known to the child 
welfare system for several months before the actual deaths, which 
led the Queen to conclude there are serious "gaps" in the mechanisms 
used to respond to allegations of abuse. 
 
¶4. (U) The Queen called an emergency meeting in May 2009 which 
included the Ministers of Education, Justice, and Health as well as 
the Director General of the National Council for Family Affairs 
(NCFA).  The Council was designated as the umbrella organization 
designated to monitor all organizations involved in the family and 
child protection system.  Following the meeting, the NCFA announced 
it will establish a new electronic program to register each case of 
child abuse handled by the Family Protection Department (FPD) of the 
Public Security Department (PSD).  The program will document steps 
taken to resolve the case and will allow for better monitoring of 
cases. 
 
One Center's Efforts to Help Abused Children 
--------- 
¶5. (SBU) On May 27, PolOff toured the Dar al-Amman Children's Center 
(part of the Jordan River Foundation) where 31 abused children 
currently reside.  The Center takes children referred to it by the 
FPD once it is determined the child must be separated from the 
family.  The brother of Yazan currently resides there. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Center's Director expressed frustration with the lack 
of accountability for abusers under the current laws.  She described 
one case where a 10-year-old child was burned all over her body by 
her grandmother as punishment.  Since the child's father asked the 
court for leniency, the grandmother was not sentenced to jail time 
but asked to pay just 5 JD (7 USD) fine.  (Note: The director said 
that she and other activists will continue to push for tougher 
sentences and for mandatory therapy and counseling for the abuser 
with a psychologist to be included in the law by court order. End 
note.) 
 
¶7. (SBU) In a return visit on May 28, PolOff escorted U.S. 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for a tour of the center.  The 
Congresswoman expressed concern over the death of Yazan and 
applauded the work of the Center. She called for more programs to 
rehabilitate victims of child abuse because "an abused child of 
today could be a leader of tomorrow." 
 
Education Needed on Child Rearing, Especially Women with Boys 
--------- 
¶8. (SBU) Poloff also spoke with the Executive Director of the 
Information and Research Center at the King Hussein Foundation,  who 
is also an outspoken journalist and advocate for children. She 
claims that most child abuse in Jordan is perpetrated by mothers, 
aunts, and grandmothers towards boys. She said this abuse can 
partially be traced to cultural divides which keep the genders 
separate.  As a result, mothers and grandmothers do not know how to 
deal with boys and frequently lash out with violence.  The director 
believes more education on child rearing is needed to help parents 
understand the needs of young children. The Jordan River Foundation 
has also expressed the need for more awareness about child abuse and 
is implementing several related-projects, including a traveling 
puppet show that helps children identify abuse.  They will also add 
scenarios to portray child labor abuse. 
 
Comment 
------ 
 
¶9. (SBU) The issue of reduced sentences for child abuse and honor 
crimes continues to be a concern.  In these domestic violence cases, 
family preferences take precedence over the rights of the victim in 
Jordan. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Post is currently developing programming for $400,000 in 
FY08 INL funds for domestic violence projects and will work with the 
police and judiciary to improve their handling of all forms of 
domestic violence.  End Comment. 
 
Beecroft