Thousands Imprisoned for Failure to Repay Loans in Jordan, Human Rights Watch Reports
Debt Imprisonment: A Clear Violation of International Human Rights Law
A staggering number of Jordanians are ending up behind bars each year due to their inability to repay loans, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch. The practice of imprisoning individuals for debt is an extreme measure that fails to address the root causes of financial struggles and is seen as a clear violation of international human rights law.
“We Lost Everything: Debt Imprisonment in Jordan”
The 47-page report documents the harsh treatment of those who are unable to repay their debts. With no adequate social security net in place, tens of thousands of Jordanians feel forced to take out loans to cover basic necessities such as:
- Utilities
- Groceries
- School fees
- Medical bills
The Devastating Impact of Debt Imprisonment
Under Jordanian law, individuals who fail to repay their debts can face imprisonment for up to 90 days per debt, with a maximum sentence of one year. Over 250,000 Jordanians currently face complaints of debt delinquency, with the number of people wanted for debt imprisonment rising tenfold in just four years.
The report highlights the devastating impact that debt imprisonment has on individuals and their families:
- Those who are imprisoned often lose their jobs, leaving their loved ones without a means to secure basic necessities.
- Many feel compelled to flee the country, abandoning their families to make ends meet.
Human Rights Watch’s Recommendations
Human Rights Watch is calling on the Jordanian government to:
- Replace laws that allow for debt imprisonment with effective personal bankruptcy legislation
- Enact social security protections to support those in need
- Ensure that microfinance institutions they fund publicly commit not to seek imprisonment for individuals unable to repay their loans
“Locking people up because they can’t afford to pay their debts is not only a basic violation of human rights, it compounds the problem by creating cycles of debt,” said Sara Kayyali, a Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Jordan should abolish debt imprisonment and adopt alternatives that respect people’s rights and help the economy.”