Martial law may be used by consecutive governments in order to restrict political freedom, including the freedom to gather publically, freedom of press and speech, and the freedom to initiate new political campaigns. Martial law often grants security forces the power to inflict torture and unjust detention, as it gives licence to political corruption and fraud.
In 1991, Jordan announced the abolition of martial law, which had been imposed on its people since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.