Jordanian Refugee Policy

There are other refugees from other countries such as Syria and Iraqis who have sought asylum in Jordan. In 2015, the number of refugees in Jordan including all the Palestinians who had Jordanian nationality was approximated to be about 30% of the total Jordanian Population. The policy of Jordanian country towards the refugees is mainly focused on Palestinians because of their large number and presence in the country. Freyburg argue that according to the Article 8 of the peace treaty between Jordan-Israel that was created in 1994, it reveals the significance of finding a just solution as a result of the conflict that exists between Israel and Palestine and the repercussions of the conflict which is the emergence of refugees (1030). The Jordanian policy towards refugee grants them access to education, health, as well as other basic services.

This is according to UNRWA. The Jordanian refugee policy towards other groups of refugees from other countries such as Syria and Iraqi flap with its refugee policy towards the Palestinian refugee problem (Kagan 307). This is because the Jordanian government believes that the occupation of territories by force is the source of forced migration, as well as refugee movements. Jordan has also incorporated an “open-door” policy to accept and welcome refugees in the region although the kingdom is not a signatory or party to the 1951 Convention concerned with the status of refugees or its 1969 Protocol. According to this policy, the refugees were not only restricted to the reception but also the approval of refugees to stay and live outside refugee camps (Kagan 307).

Furthermore, the refugees are handled based on the Law of Foreigners, as well as Residence, number 24 of 1973. This law enabled refugees to stay in Jordan until they are ready to return to their home country. Stevens asserts that this law also explains that no any refugee seeking asylum in Jordan will be forced to return to their native country against their wish where life, as well as freedom, could be under serious threats of violation based on their race, nationality, religion, as well as political opinion (20). Furthermore, the Jordanian policy on refugees also asserts that asylum seekers, as well as refugees, should be treated based on the standards that are accepted internationally by the international community. According to the MOU, refugees or asylum seekers are assured of the legal status.

This has been done to ensure that every child in Jordan, whether refugees or Jordanian origin receive an education so long as the quality of education of the Jordanian children is not affected. Zaiotti argue that the government also initiated a plan known as JRP for 2016-2018 in which the international community supports it (340). The Jordanian government committed itself to introduce mandatory administrative changes to enable Syrian refugees to have access to work and eliminate any limitations that prevent refugees from engaging in economic activities which reside inside the camps, as well as trade with the rest of the Jordanian population outside the camps. Conclusion The issue of refugees has become a serious problem worldwide as result of its contribution to the emergence of opposition groups such as Hamas, PLO, ISIS and many other opposition groups to governments in war-torn countries such as Syria, Palestine and Iraqi (Zaiotti 340).