Oman
In early 2026, Oman continues to operate as an absolute monarchy where the Sultan holds ultimate executive, legislative, and judicial authority. While the government has introduced significant labor reforms and engaged in international human rights dialogues, the fundamental lack of civil and political rights remains the country's defining human rights issue.
1. Freedom of Expression and Assembly
Oman’s legal framework remains highly restrictive, prioritizing state stability and "public morals" over individual expression.
The "Together Moving Forward" Forum (February 2026): Just this month, the government launched a national forum to promote "responsible national discourse." While framed as an opening for dialogue, critics note that the focus remains on "responsible" expression, which in practice excludes criticism of the Sultan or government policies.
Criminalization of Dissent: Laws against "insulting the Sultan" or "undermining the prestige of the state" are actively enforced. In 2024 and 2025, several citizens were reportedly detained for social media posts or religious practices that deviated from official state calendars.
Media Control: A new media law issued in late 2024 grants the Ministry of Information broad powers to revoke licenses and censor content deemed "misleading" or in conflict with "public morals."
2. The Fourth Universal Periodic Review (January 2026)
Last month, Oman underwent its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations in Geneva.
International Scrutiny: Member states urged Oman to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers.
Recommendations: Key focuses included the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of human rights defenders, and the need for a truly independent National Human Rights Institution.
Torture Allegations: Despite a constitutional ban, independent reports presented during the review highlighted persistent allegations of "prolonged solitary confinement" and "ill-treatment" used to extract confessions from political detainees.
3. Migrant Worker Rights and "Omanization"
Oman is transitioning its labor market through aggressive "Omanization" policies, which create a dual-track experience for workers.
The New Labour Law (2023–2026): Now fully in effect, the law introduced improved protections, including a cap on arbitrary termination compensation and a reduction in weekly working hours to 40.
Discriminatory Protections: While the law includes new anti-discrimination clauses, many benefits—such as the 2025 mandated "Minimum Annual Salary Increment"—apply only to Omani nationals, leaving the large expatriate workforce vulnerable to lower wages and less job security.
Kafala System: Although reforms have allowed some workers to change employers more easily, the "Kafala" (sponsorship) system still exists in a modified form, often tying a worker's legal status to their employer and increasing the risk of forced labor.
4. Women’s Rights: Progress and Gaps
Parental Leave: The 2023 Labour Law significantly improved maternity leave (increased to 98 days) and introduced 7 days of paid paternity leave, a first for the region.
Legal Inequality: Under the Personal Status Law, women still face discrimination in matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance. A woman’s testimony is often given less weight than a man’s in court, and the "male guardianship" culture continues to limit women's autonomy in rural areas.
SGBV: There is currently no specific law criminalizing domestic violence, and sexual harassment in the workplace remains underreported due to social stigma.
5. LGBTQ+ Rights
Oman remains one of the most closed environments for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Criminalization: Consensual same-sex acts are punishable by up to three years in prison. While mass arrests are rare, the law is used to target individuals involved in "public scandals" or those who express their identity online.
Transgender Rights: Under the 2018 Penal Code, a man appearing in "women’s clothing" or likeness can face a year in prison. Gender-affirming care is explicitly banned by royal decree as of 2019.