Wrong to equate

I work at a local NGO in close partnership and good relations with foreign NGOs.

Dealing with both local and foreign NGOs, I know how highly appreciated Jordan is for creating an enabling environment for civil society to do its work, including those who monitor human rights in the country.

It came as a shock, then, when in an interview with the minister of social development in a local newspaper, on June 12, the minister harshly criticised all NGOs for their work.

The interview also confirmed rumours of a new crackdown on local and foreign NGOs.

My question is, does one bad apple mean all are bad?

How can the media and officials generalise?

Does one incompetent official mean all are the same?

Someone at a foreign NGO who has been working diligently and for quite a long time in the country said that they will simply move to Lebanon.

Is this an enabling environment? 

Is this how the government thanks local NGOs for their endeavour to shoulder their responsibility towards the vulnerable people of Jordan? 

Abed Attar,
Amman