: The rights to freedom of assembly and association are heavily restricted by law.
The Omani government's repression has had a chilling effect on the country's civil society. Many activists and opposition figures have been forced into exile, while others have been silenced through intimidation and harassment.
The government's repression intensified in the following years, with the introduction of new laws and regulations aimed at restricting freedoms. The 2011 Cybercrime Law, for example, made it a crime to criticize the government or Sultan Qaboos online. The law was used to prosecute and jail dozens of Omanis who had expressed dissenting views on social media. oman government repression
"I was blindfolded and taken to a secret detention center," Ahmed recalled in an interview. "They told me I was a threat to national security and that I would be punished for my actions. I was scared, but I knew I had done nothing wrong."
UN are currently reviewing Oman's record? AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses Copy Creating a public link... You can now share this thread with others Good response Bad response 10 sites Oman Country Report 2026 - bti-project.org Several dozen protesters and online activists were arrested before being released within the week. In August 2022, three entrepren... bti-project.org Oman Country Report 2026 - bti-project.org The authorities' opposition to any discussion about the country's history is reflected in the banning of books that propose altern... bti-project.org Oman | Country Page | World - Human Rights Watch Oman. Oman's overly broad laws restrict the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. The authorities target peac... Human Rights Watch “Freedom in the World 2025 - Oman”, Document #2129092 - Ecoi.net Overview. Oman is a hereditary monarchy, and power is concentrated in the hands of the sultan. The regime restricts virtually all ... European Country of Origin Information Network - ecoi.net UPR November 2025 Gulf Centre for Human Rights We note that the government response to protests includes violence and criminal penalties. In April 2025, the Court of First Insta... UPR info UPR November 2025 Gulf Centre for Human Rights In most recent version of the Basic Law, which acts as the constitution, Article 35 states, “Freedom of opinion and the expression... UPR info Executive regulations for media issued as part of systematic ... 1 Oct 2025 — : The rights to freedom of assembly and
: Despite these restrictions, Oman maintains a relatively high political stability index compared to the global average, which the government often cites as a justification for its controlled political environment.
: According to Human Rights Watch , authorities use overly broad laws to target peaceful activists, pro-reform bloggers, and government critics through short-term arrests, detentions, and harassment. Civil Liberties and Assembly "I was blindfolded and taken to a secret
"The struggle for freedom and justice is not over," Ahmed said. "We will continue to speak out against repression and demand a better future for our country."
: Because the system is an absolute monarchy, there are no legal political parties. The Sultan appoints the cabinet and holds ultimate decision-making authority. Legal and Constitutional Framework
The separation of powers is not observed in practice, with the Sultan serving as the head of the judiciary.
: While the Basic Law of the Sultanate outlines certain rights, it also establishes Islam as the state religion and Sharia as the basis for legislation, which can influence legal interpretations of personal freedoms.