Hadeel Abdel Aziz

Hadeel Abdel Aziz
Hadeel Abdel Aziz
Born	Jordan
Alma mater	University of Jordan; Michigan State University (judicial administrator certification)
Occupation(s)	Legal professional, human rights advocate
Known for	Founder and leader of the Justice Center for Legal Aid; recipient of the International Women of Courage Award and Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Hadeel Abdel Aziz, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 1 December 2025

Hadeel Abdel Aziz () is a distinguished Jordanian legal professional and advocate for human rights, who established and leads the Jordanian non-governmental organization, Justice Center for Legal Aid (JCLA). Her initiatives concentrate on reforming judicial processes, implementing court automation, and broadening legal access through a network of clinics that address civil, criminal, family, and Sharia law matters. On 8 March 2023, she was honored with the International Women of Courage Award, presented by Jill Biden and Antony J. Blinken at the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, Abdel Aziz received the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law during the Élysée Treaty’s 60th anniversary celebrations in January 2023.

Education and certification

Abdel Aziz earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Jordan and became the first Jordanian to be certified as a judicial administrator by Michigan State University.

Manager of Court Administration Unit

Prior to launching JCLA, Abdel Aziz directed the Court Administration Unit within USAID’s Rule of Law Program between 2004 and 2009.

Legal empowerment initiatives

At JCLA, her work centers on delivering legal assistance to vulnerable populations, promoting government-funded legal aid services, and empowering communities through educational resources that explain basic rights and encourage grassroots problem-solving.

Advocacy for human rights

Acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State for her contributions to enhancing Jordan’s justice framework, Abdel Aziz champions the rights of marginalized populations such as juveniles, refugees, migrants, and survivors of gender-based violence. She has actively opposed detentions linked to honor crimes and holds a position on the Board of Trustees at the National Center for Human Rights, where she supports youth training in rights-oriented journalism.

Her advocacy includes efforts to repeal Jordan’s contentious rape legislation, Article 308, while supporting rigorous prosecution of offenders. She showcased this work during a prominent UN panel discussion and engaged in projects sponsored by the World Bank alongside other platforms. At the UN event focused on victims of terrorism, she stressed the critical need for accessible justice for terrorism survivors.

Focus on migrant laborers

Addressing persistent issues confronting migrant workers in Jordan, Abdel Aziz exposed abuses perpetrated by local employers, facilitated the safe return of nine mistreated Filipino domestic workers, and highlighted challenges related to enforcing protective labor laws.

International collaboration

In 2015, Abdel Aziz and JCLA were commissioned by the World Bank to provide technical assistance to Nigeria’s government through capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing legal aid services and ensuring quality standards.

Eisenhower Fellowship

Abdel Aziz was awarded support from Eisenhower Fellowships to develop a nationwide Pro bono initiative that collaborates with Jordan’s legal institutions to extend services to underserved communities.

International Women of Courage Award

In 2023, Abdel Aziz was honored with the International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State in recognition of her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to advocating for human rights and representing marginalized groups.

Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law

This accolade was bestowed upon her in acknowledgment of her enduring dedication to upholding the rule of law and promoting the human rights of women and girls. The award celebrates international human rights advocates who often face significant risks while striving to safeguard and advance human rights.

References