definition of "terrorism" but also further restricted freedom of expression in Jordan. Amnesty International condemned the prison term imposed on her: Toujan was reportedly maltreated in jail. This caused an outcry of human right groups within and outside Jordan. In prison she went on hunger strike, during which she lost 12 kg (1 st 12 lb) in less than a month. On 26 June 2002, after 29 days of hunger strike, she was freed from prison by a special royal pardon. The royal pardon did not annul her conviction. Speaking to BBC News Online, she said she was determined to walk out of hospital on her daughter's arm. And she continued to state "I refused a wheelchair because I don't like the look, the attitude of weakness." Attempt to rejoin parliament The 20 May 2003 of the Elections Committee decided not to allow her to stand as a candidate in the parliamentary elections of 17 June 2003. Al-Faisal decided to file a request before the Kingdom's Court of First Instance; however, on 24 May 2003 the court delivered a judgment rejecting the request. Al-Faisal's application was rejected due to her previous conviction, on the grounds that she had previously committed a non-political offense. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) considered that the Elections Committee and the Court decisions were based on an unfair condemnation, and Amnesty International stated that "Toujan al-Faisal is being denied her right to stand for elections on account of an unfair trial for expressing non-violent political beliefs." References Further reading Nancy Gallagher, "Women's Human Rights on Trial in Jordan: The Triumph of Toujan al-Faisal," in Mahnaz Afkhami, ed. Faith and Freedom: Women's Human Rights in the Muslim World (London: I.B. Tauris, 1995) pp. 209–231. External links Toujan al Faisal, the case, her writings, and her news Toujan al-Faisal talk (mp3) 1948 births Living people Members of the House of Representatives (Jordan) Jordanian people of Circassian descent Jordanian activists Jordanian women activists Jordanian prisoners and detainees Prisoners and detainees of Jordan Recipients of Jordanian royal pardons 20th-century Jordanian women politicians 20th-century Jordanian politicians 20th-century women politicians