FIRST of all, I don’t think there is anybody — citizen or expatriate — living in this beautiful and loveable country who will disagree with me when I say that the Sultanate has reached the level of advanced countries in the world that have witnessed well-rounded development, particularly in terms of laws and regulations that guarantee equal rights and justice for all.

We all know that the amazing progress and prosperity witnessed in the Sultanate would not have been possible without the wisdom of the leader and founder of the Blessed Renaissance, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The citizens have every right to feel proud of their country that has notched up an array of sterling achievements in practically all walks of life and in a short span of time.

His Majesty the Sultan issued Royal Decree No. 10/2010 on Sunday January
24, 2010 appointing 14 members of the Human Rights Commission, including the chairman and deputy chairman.

The members, who are eminent and well-regarded personalities of Omani society, have all the prerogatives of the Human Rights Commission which was constituted on November 15, 2008 under Royal Decree No. 124/2008.
With this decree (Royal Decree No.10/2010), the Sultanate has completed almost all the laws and regulations deemed right and proper by the international community. As I had mentioned in my article published on August 3, 2008, the establishment of the Human Rights Commission helped place the Sultanate among the democratic nations of the world that practise
democracy with all the legal requirements thereof.

What adds to the efficiency of the Human Rights commission in the Sultanate is that it is affiliated to the State Council, but at the same time it has independence and legal rights in performing its mission.

This bears out the Sultanate’s seriousness in dealing with all issues relating to protection of human rights, as guaranteed by the country’s Basic Law, promulgated under Royal Decree No.101/96. The Basic Law, particularly as laid down in Chapter III which comprises 26 articles on general rights and duties, guarantees protection of human rights in the Sultanate.

The Sultanate’s Basic Law reaffirms equality of all citizens before the law in terms of rights and duties. It makes no discrimination based on gender, race, colour, language, religion, creed, citizenship or social rank. The Basic Law states that personal freedom is guaranteed by the law and that no one should be arrested, inspected, put under custody or has his/her residence/stay or movement be restricted except as per the law.

The Basic Law of the state does not permit imprisonment or confinement except at places that facilitate sufficient social and health care in accordance
with laws concerning detention.

The Law also states that no human being should be subjected to physical or psychological torture or any such dehumanizing pracitce.

Furthermore, the Basic Law states unequivocally that no punishment be meted out for any crime except as stipulated by the law and considers the accused innocent until they are proved otherwise in a court of law, and ensures their legal right to defend themselves. The Basic Law also guarantees that the accused sustain no physical or moral harm. Besides, every individual has the right to litigation.

Moreover, the Basic Law ensures the inviolability of homes and prohibits any outsiders from entering them without permission of the occupants except in the cases and manner mentioned in the law.

The Law also guarantees the freedom to pracise one’s religion and its rituals provided they conform to general morality and public order. The freedom of expression — verbal, written or otherwise — is guaranteed under the law.

The Basic Law also guarantees the right of the citizens to meet/organise meetings within the prescribed limits. It is therefore worth mentioning that every foreigner in the Sultanate enjoys the right of self-protection as well as protection of their property.

The Basic Law therefore goes to reassure each and every citizen and expatriate in our country in regard to their own protection and that of their family and property.

The setting up of the Human Rights Commission and its due completion generate a whole new sense of protection and immunity from fear that further consolidates the guarantees provided under the Basic Law of the state.