Jordan has passed an amendment to its constitution to add the term "Jordanian women", after a fist-fight erupted between members of parliament in the assembly last week over proposed reforms.
Footage of the brawl between the parliamentarians went viral.
The violence started when a discussion on proposed constitutional amendments escalated. It drew condemnation from other officials as well as the public.
“The behaviour is unacceptable to our people and harms our country's reputation,” said Khalil Atiyeh, a member of parliament who witnessed Tuesday’s brawl.
The phrase was added on Sunday to the title of the second chapter of the constitution, which outlines the rights and duties of Jordanians.
Out of 130 members of parliament, 94 approved the amendment while 26 rejected it and 10 were “absent” from the vote, state news agency Petra said.
Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said the change was made to “honour and respect women”. Jordan's current constitution makes reference to women's rights, or "special conditions" in the workplace, under Article 23, but gives no further details.
Parliamentary Legal Committee member Ghazi Al Thneibat was also criticised for on-air comments calling the proposed clauses on the empowerment of women and youths, matters of “aesthetics designed to appease the international community”.
The dispute over the issue highlighted the deep-rooted problems that plague Jordanian society when it comes to traditional norms.
Rights activists point out that foreign spouses and children of Jordanian women, for example, cannot receive Jordanian citizenship while those of Jordanian men can.
Also on Sunday, 106 deputies voted to amend a paragraph in the constitution on motherhood and people with disabilities.
"The law shall protect the rights of persons with disabilities and promote their participation and inclusion in various walks of life. It [the law] shall also protect motherhood, childhood and the elderly, take care of young people and prevent abuse and exploitation," Paragraph 5 of Article 6 now reads.
MPs however voted against allowing the king to preside over the National Security and Foreign Policy Council.
On Monday, the parliament will continue discussing matters pertaining to the rights of people with disabilities and their inclusion in society among 27 proposed amendments.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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