The Oman Human Rights Commission outlined significant human rights progress during its 2024 activities. Officials reviewed the year’s achievements, monitoring efforts, and upcoming initiatives during a press conference in Muscat.
The Commission handled 1,006 issues and reports in 2024. This included 47 complaints and 22 formal cases. Additionally, 937 cases received direct human rights support, covering civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and developmental rights. Vulnerable groups also benefited from targeted assistance.
Chairman Dr. Rashid bin Hamad Al Balushi emphasized the Commission’s role in advancing human rights progress. He noted the work is based on Oman’s Basic Law and international conventions the nation has signed. He also stressed the importance of continuous development of working mechanisms to expand outreach and impact.
The Commission’s vision focuses on becoming a strong national platform for protecting rights across society. Its mission promotes a culture of respect, fairness, and justice. According to Al Balushi, citizenship and human dignity remain at the heart of their efforts.
Field visits to the Central Prison confirmed the Royal Oman Police’s commitment to protecting inmate rights. Services inspected included healthcare, education, legal aid, sports, training, recreation, and creative activities. Al Balushi commended the quality of these services.
He also highlighted Oman’s 18-place improvement in the 2024 Press Freedom Index. The ranking considers political, legal, economic, social, and safety contexts in 180 countries. This improvement reflects enhanced freedoms for the press and broader public discourse.
A major upcoming initiative is the launch of the “National Human Rights Strategy” on December 10. This plan will guide future human rights progress, aligning with Oman’s laws and international agreements.
The Commission provided legal support in 937 cases, ensuring compliance with both local and international legal frameworks. Areas covered ranged from civil and political to environmental and development rights.
Additionally, the Commission addressed global reports from international organizations. Responses were prepared for evaluations on Oman’s human rights situation, including reports on anti-human trafficking efforts.
Dr. Al Balushi concluded by reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to protecting all rights and strengthening Oman’s international standing through continuous human rights progress.
