In the framework of efforts made in Jordan to enhance the "National Integrity System", the Royal Commission in charge of monitoring the "National Integrity Charter", which was adopted in 2013, prepared a bill that aims to establish a national Center that immunizes the political and administrative system against breeching principles of national integrity that seek to serve citizens, safeguard their dignity and protect their rights and properties. This Center is to replace Diwan Al Madhalim (Ombudsman) albeit with more extensive powers enabling it to perform the required control over the commitment of the public administration to implement the "National Integrity Charter."
The bill requires the public administration to integrate principles of transparency in its own procedural and regulatory frameworks. It also provides the Center with various powers most importantly including ensuring transparent application of legislation, fighting corruption in all its forms, safeguarding citizen rights, activating the value system and standards of conduct within public and private institutions, verifying linkages between responsibility and accountability and ensuring that good governance standards are applied in the public and private sectors as well as in civil society.
According to the text of the bill, the Center is independent and protected from any undue interference or influence; it submits its annual report to the King and the Executive and Legislative branches, and is not subjected to inspection without judicial authorization. The Center’s leadership is comprised of a Board of Trustees that includes a chairperson and eight members appointed by Royal Decree upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers appoints the Commissioner General of the Center upon the recommendation of the latter Board of Trustees to whom he/she will be held accountable. The Center also has a General Secretariat that serves as its executive organ.
The Council of Ministers approved the bill on 21 December 2014 and transferred it to the “Legislation and Opinion Bureau” that published it on the official website to inform the public and receive feedback. The bill is expected to be submitted at a later stage to the House of Representatives and the Senate for review and approval in accordance with the Constitution.
Observers note that establishing and activating this Center would be an important step in Jordan's efforts to promote integrity and combat corruption, and there are questions raised regarding the relationship between the Center and the Anti-Corruption Commission established in 2006, as well as on the effectiveness of the tools that are availed to the center to perform its roles, including following up on complaints received and ensuring their adequate resolution. Actual implementation on the ground remains the most adequate way to explore strengths and reinforce them on the one hand; and to explore weaknesses and address them on the other.
The bill is available at http://www.lob.jo/View_LawContent.aspx?ID=470.