Jordan to withdraw stricter cybercrimes bill, says official

amman — Jordan is to withdraw proposed amendments to a cybercrimes bill submitted to parliament that rights activists say would stifle freedom of expression, the government spokesman said on Sunday.

The bill has angered broad swathes of public opinion, including demonstrators who took to the streets in the last 10 days to protest against IMF-backed austerity measures, who say the proposed law will silence dissent in social media.

The legislation sent to parliament last September will be resubmitted only after the government has engaged with civil society representatives and experts, spokesman Jumana Ghunaimat told the state news agency Petra. “The government will study again the draft law before redrafting it in light of existing laws,” Ghunaimat said.

Two officials said Prime Minister Omar Razzaz’s move to pull the cybercrimes law was intended to defuse a crisis that could cause a repeat of the big protests last summer over tax rises that brought down his predecessor.

Activists are calling for a major protest on Thursday against austerity measures and the IMFbacked tax law passed last month by the mainly pro-government parliament.

Officials have said there was a need for tougher laws with the internet being used to slander politicians and incite social discord.

King Abdullah, without referring to the bill, has also supported tightening online laws, saying unfair accusations against officials had paralysed government decision-making.

The government will study again the draft law before redrafting it in light of existing laws

Jumana Ghunaimat, Govt spokesman