Jordan 'arrested, harassed' scores of pro-Palestine protesters: HRW

Scores of pro-Palestine Jordanians have been arrested and harassed by authorities since October for participating in protests or online advocacy in solidarity with Gaza, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Tuesday. 

The repression highlights an "abusive use" of a controversial cybercrimes law to bring charges against some of the peaceful demonstrators, HRW added. 

“Jordanian authorities are trampling the right to free expression and assembly in an effort to tamp down Gaza-related activism,” said Lama Fakih, Middle East director at HRW. 

The Israeli war on Gaza has provoked a massive nationwide protest movement in Jordan that drew in thousands of demonstrators weekly. 

The protesters have called for a radical change in Jordan's policy towards Palestine, including walking out of the peace treaty with Israel.