AMMAN ? The government is drafting a reply to a human rights report on Jordan, issued by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Department late February, officials have said. According to the 45-page report, efforts to enhance Jordan's human rights record remain hindered by the government's violations of human rights.
An item falling under civil liberties and mentioned in the report is freedom of religion. The report claims there are some restrictions on freedom of religion.
It alleges that the government does not recognise a number of religions other than the three main monotheistic faiths: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
?Although the majority of Christians are allowed to practice freely, some activities such as proselytising or encouraging conversion to the Christian faith ? both considered legally incompatible with Islam ? are prohibited. Christians are subject to aspects of Sharia (Islamic law) that designate how inheritances are distributed,? it said.
It also alleged that not all Christian denominations have been accorded official government recognition. Small numbers of adherents of the Baha'i faith are not interfered with in their practice, but are also not recognised, it added.
Books and publications found harmful or offensive to Islam are also banned, according to the report.