Ammon News - AMMAN (AFP) - A Cairo-based Arab rights group claimed on Thursday that torture, beatings and illegal detentions are regularly carried out in Jordanian prisons.

"The Arab Organisation for Human Rights last year received 24 complaints related to torture, beatings and illegal detention as well as other forms of mistreatment," the group's head Hani Dahleh told AFP on a visit to Amman.

Dahleh, a lawyer, said "ill treatment and abuse of power continue in Jordan's jails despite a slight improvement in human rights."

The rights group, he added, was in the process of compiling its annual report in which its findings would be detailed.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said last year torture continues to be "routine and widespread" in Jordanian jails, and urged the government to prosecute abusers.

The watchdog said nations which provide aid to Jordan should condition part of their assistance on the establishment of investigation and prosecution mechanisms.

International and local human rights organisations as well as the opposition, including the Islamist movement, have long demanded the government reform Jordan's prisons, ban torture and protect prisoners' rights.

The government has said it is committed to protecting and enhancing human rights.