Oman - Latest Press Releases

Oman: Journalist Arrested for Exposing Corruption Suffers From Ill-treatment in Detention

OMN - News | 19 September 2016

On 9 August 2016, Yousuf Al Haj, a journalist at Al Zaman newspaper, was arrested by Omani State Security Forces and the journal closed down because of articles denouncing corruption within the judiciary. Since his arrest, Yousuf Al Haj is detained in solitary confinement and his conditions of detention have affected his health. Concerned that Al Haj is being solely for expressing his opinion, on 15 September 2016, Alkarama solicited the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Opinion and Expression (SR FRDX), Mr David Kaye.

Oman: Human Rights Activist Said Jadad Released After Serving his Sentence

OMN - News | 01 September 2016

On 26 August 2016, Alkarama received confirmation that prominent Omani human rights defender Said Jadad was released after having served his one year prison sentence in the Arzat prison in Salalah. Jadad had been convicted in March 2015 of “using information technology to prejudice public order” for a social media post, in which he likened the 2014 Hong Kong protests to those in Dhofar in 2011.

Oman: Arbitrary Detention of Human Rights Defender Said Jadad after Years of Continuous Reprisals

OMN - News | 09 May 2016

Known for criticising Oman's systematic repression of peaceful dissent, Said Ali Said Jadad, who has been the victim of reprisals for his human rights activism since 2013, was sentenced, on 8 March 2015, to three years imprisonment for "undermining the prestige of the state" and one year for "incitement to demonstrate" and "disturbing public order" by the Muscat Court. Shortly after, on 17 March 2015, the Court of Salalah sentenced him to one year in prison and a fine of 1000 Omani Riyals for cybercrimes.

Oman: Human Rights Defender and Alkarama Award Laureate Talib Al Mamari released from prison

OMN - News | 06 May 2016

On 4 May 2016, committed member of the Omani Parliament and environmental activist Talib Al Mamari was released three months prior to the end of his prison sentence. Al Mamari, who had been detained at Sama'il Prison near Muscat since August 2013, was released in the morning of 4 May on a royal pardon from Sultan Qaboos.

Oman does not make great commitments to improve its human rights situation

OMN - News | 18 March 2016

Members of Oman delegation are sitting in front of the sign indicating the name of the country The human rights situation in Oman was reviewed on 5 November 2015 by the United Nations Member States, in the context of the country’s second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – an interactive discussion between the State under review and other UN Member States which takes place every four years. During the review, the UN Member States made 233 recommendations to Oman in order to improve the human rights situation in the country, most of which were based on concerns raised by NGOs, including Alkarama in its report. Last week, Oman presented its views on the recommendations received, accepting in its integrity or partially 169 recommendations, noting 28 and rejecting 36.

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Oman - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

No

Convention against Torture (CAT)

No

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

No

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 11.2011 (1st cycle)
Next review: 2015 (2nd cycle)

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – Status B

Last review: 11.2013
Next review: -