Jordan: Relations between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE); whether Jordan is known to extradite/expel citizens or residents to the UAE, especially at the request of the royal or ruling families of the UAE

Information on the relations between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. There were several reports of meetings between officials from Jordan and the UAE. The Jordan Times stated that on 24 April 1999, Jordan and the UAE signed an agreement for "judicial cooperation, streamlining legal procedures and exchanging expertise and information pertaining to legal procedures" (25 April 1999). On 22 May 2000, the Jordan Times reported that the King of Jordan met with the Minister of Trade and Economy from the UAE to discuss further economic cooperation (ibid.). The same article mentioned that a free trade zone had been created between the two countries, although it did not specify when such an agreement had been reached (ibid.). On 14 March 2001, the Jordanian daily Al-Dustur mentioned that there would be a meeting the next day between the King of Jordan and the President of the UAE the next day in preparation for the Arab summit (ibid.). A 21 March 2001 article from Agence France Presse (AFP) noted that Jordan and the UAE had agreed to a joint investment to build troop carriers (ibid.).

No information on whether Jordan is known to extradite/expel citizens or residents to the UAE could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, there were several reports of citizens or residents of Jordan being expelled or deported to countries other than the UAE. On 22 November 1999, the BBC reported that Jordan had exiled four Hamas leaders, all with Jordanian nationality. The four were flown to Qatar (AP 26 June 2000; ibid. 6 March 2000). According to one source, Jordanian security agencies planned to deport to Libya seven Libyans, married to Jordanian citizens, who were legal residents of Jordan (Al-Sabil 18 January 2001). No information on whether the seven Libyans were deported could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). "Jordan, UAE to Build Troop Carriers." 21 March 2001. [Accessed 24 August 2001]

Al-Dustur [Amman, in Arabic]. 14 March 2001. "Jordan's King Abdullah to Visit UAE 15 Mar." (FBIS-NES-2001-0314 14 Mar. 2001/WNC)

Al-Sabil [Amman, in Arabic]. 18 January 2001. "King Abdullah Urged to Prevent Deportation of Seven Libyans." (BBC Summary 19 Jan. 2000/NEXIS).

Associated Press (AP). 6 March 2000. "Prosecutor Urges Court to Reject Appeal From Exiled Hamas Leader." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 June 2000. "Amman: Associated Press." (NEXIS)

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 22 November 1999. "Jordan Exiles Hamas Leaders." [Accessed 24 August 2001]

Jordan Times [Amman]. 22 May 2000. "Jordan, UAE Look into Ways to Advance Economic Ties." [Accessed 24 August 2001]

_____. 25 April 1999. "Jordan, UAE Sign Agreement for Judicial Cooperation." [Accessed 24 August 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Four non-documentary sources did not respond within the time constraints of this Response.

IRB databases

Jane's Foreign Report

Kessing's Record of World Events

The Middle East

Middle East International

Middle East Report

Internet sources including:

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Middle East Times

The Star [Amman]

World News Connection (WNC)

Search engine:

Google