Royal Decree endorses 2024 General Pardon Law

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Tuesday, endorsing the General Pardon Law for the year 2024, as approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The Attorney General's Office has embarked on implementing the provisions of the General Pardon Law No. 5 of 2024.

Attorney General Judge Yousef Thiabat has issued directives to the attorneys general in the Kingdom’s three regions (northern, central, and southern) to start preparing lists of individuals who fall under this law, with the aim of their immediate release, following His Majesty King Abdullah’s Royal directives, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Thiabat added that the release procedures for those covered by the General Pardon Law will commence on Wednesday, adding that the process will be expedited due to the automation systems implemented by the public prosecution departments in the Kingdom.

He also noted that the attorneys general will collaborate with public prosecutors across the Kingdom to identify individuals covered by the law and notify them prior to their release.

The Royal Decree was issued in accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution. The law, consisting of seven articles, assigns the responsibility of its implementation to the prime minister and ministers.

Article 2 of the law lifts the criminal status and drops all criminal charges and penalties related to crimes committed before March 19. Article 3 identifies 38 types of crimes not covered by this law, including drug offences, offences against state security, crimes against public duties, offences against public authority, destruction of public records, forgery of state seals and official marks, counterfeiting, rape and assault leading to death.

Article 6 establishes a committee chaired by the president of the Court of Cassation, the attorney general, and the deputy attorneys general at various courts. This committee will consider any objections, disputes, or interpretations arising from the application of the law’s provisions, issuing its decisions unanimously or by majority.