| OMAN Sultanate of Oman Saltanat Uman Joined United Nations: 7 October 1971 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 14 March 2013 |
Part Three
Public Rights and Duties
Article 15 [Citizenship]
Nationality is regulated by the Law. It may not be forfeited or withdrawn except within the limits of the Law.
Article 16 [Deportation, Right of Entry]
It is not permitted to deport or exile citizens, or prevent them from returning to the Sultanate.
Article 17 [Citizen Equality, No Discrimination]
All citizens are equal before the Law, and they are equal in public rights and duties. There shall be no discrimination between them on the
grounds of gender, origin, colour, language, religion, sect, domicile or social status.
Article 18 [Personal Freedom]
Personal freedom is guaranteed in accordance with the Law. No person may be arrested, searched, detained or imprisoned, or have his
residence or movement curtailed, except in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
Article 19 [Imprisonment]
Detention or imprisonment is not permitted, except in the places designated for that purpose in the prison laws, which provide for health
care and social welfare.
Article 20 [Personal Integrity]
No person shall be subjected to physical or psychological torture, enticement or humiliating treatment, and the Law lays down the
punishment for anyone who is guilty of such actions. No statement shall be valid if it is established that it has been obtained as a result of
torture, enticement or humiliating treatment, or threats of such measures.
Article 21 [Criminal Punishments]
There shall be no crime and no punishment except in accordance with the criteria of a Law, and there shall be no punishment except for
actions cognisable in Law. Punishment is personal not transferable.
Article 22 [Presumption of Innocence, Due Process, Personal Integrity]
An accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a legal trial which ensures him the essential guarantee to exercise his right of defence
according to the Law. It is prohibited to harm the accused either bodily or mentally.
Article 23 [Right to Counsel]
The accused has the right to appoint a person who has the ability to defend him during the trial. The Law defines the circumstances
which require the presence of a lawyer on behalf of the accused and guarantees those without the financial capacity, the means to resort
to justice and the defence of their rights.
Article 24 [Arrest]
Anyone who is arrested shall be notified of the causes of his arrest immediately and he shall have the right to contact whoever he sees fit,
to inform them of what has taken place or seek their assistance, in the manner regulated by the Law. He must be informed promptly of
the charges against him, and he and his representative shall have the right to appeal before the judicial authorities against the measure
which has restricted his personal freedom. The Law regulates his right of appeal in a manner which ensures that a judgement will be
issued on it within a specified period, failing which he must be released.
Article 25 [Right to Litigation]
The right to litigation is sacrosanct and guaranteed to all people. The Law defines the procedures and circumstances required for
exercising this right and the State guarantees, as far as possible, that the judicial authorities will reconcile the litigants and settle cases
promptly.
Article 26 [Personal Integrity Against Experiments]
It is not permitted to perform any medical or scientific experiment on any person without his freely given consent.
Article 27 [Home]
Dwellings are inviolable and it is not permitted to enter them without the permission of the owner or legal occupant, except in the
circumstances specified by the Law and in the manner stipulated therein.
Article 28 [Religion]
The freedom to practise religious rites in accordance with recognised customs is guaranteed provided that it does not disrupt public order
or conflict with accepted standards of behaviour.
Article 29 [Expression]
Freedom of opinion and expression, whether spoken, written or in other forms, is guaranteed within the limits of the Law.
Article 30 [Communication]
Freedom of postal, telegraphic, telephonic and other forms of communication is sacrosanct and their confidentiality is guaranteed. Hence,
it is not permitted to monitor or inspect them, reveal their contents, or delay or confiscate them except in circumstances defined by the
Law and in accordance with the procedures laid down therein.
Article 31 [Press]
Freedom of the press, printing and publication is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances defined by the Law. It
is prohibited to print or publish material that leads to public discord, violates the security of the State or abuses a
person's dignity and his rights.
Article 32 [Assembly]
Citizens have the right of assembly within the limits of the Law.
Article 33 [Association]
The freedom to form associations on a national basis for legitimate objectives and in a proper manner, in a way that does not conflict with
the stipulations and aims of this Basic Law, is guaranteed under the conditions and in the circumstances defined by the Law. It is
forbidden to establish associations whose activities are inimical to social order, or are secret, or of a military nature. It is not permitted to
force anyone to join any association.
Article 34 [Petition, Public Affairs]
Citizens have the right to address the public authorities on personal matters or on matters related to public affairs, in the manner and on
the conditions laid down by the Law.
Article 35 [Rights of Foreigners]
Every foreigner who is legally resident in the Sultanate shall have the right to protection of his person and his property in accordance with
the Law. Foreigners shall have regard for society's values and respect its traditions and customs.
Article 36 [Asylum]
Extradition of political refugees is prohibited. Extradition of criminals is subject to the provisions of international laws and agreements.
Article 37 [Territorial Integrity, Military Duty]
Defence of the homeland is a sacred duty, and rendering service in the Armed Forces is an honour for citizens regulated by the Law.
Article 38 [National Unity, Duty of Citizens]
Preserving national unity and safeguarding State secrets is a duty incumbent upon every citizen.
Article 39 [Taxes]
Payment of taxes and public dues is a duty in accordance with the Law.
Article 40 [Observance of the Law]
Respect for the Basic Law of the State and the laws and ordinances issued by the public authorities, as well as observance of public order
and public morals, is a duty incumbent upon all residents of the Sultanate.
Public Rights and Duties
Article 15 [Citizenship]
Nationality is regulated by the Law. It may not be forfeited or withdrawn except within the limits of the Law.
Article 16 [Deportation, Right of Entry]
It is not permitted to deport or exile citizens, or prevent them from returning to the Sultanate.
Article 17 [Citizen Equality, No Discrimination]
All citizens are equal before the Law, and they are equal in public rights and duties. There shall be no discrimination between them on the
grounds of gender, origin, colour, language, religion, sect, domicile or social status.
Article 18 [Personal Freedom]
Personal freedom is guaranteed in accordance with the Law. No person may be arrested, searched, detained or imprisoned, or have his
residence or movement curtailed, except in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
Article 19 [Imprisonment]
Detention or imprisonment is not permitted, except in the places designated for that purpose in the prison laws, which provide for health
care and social welfare.
Article 20 [Personal Integrity]
No person shall be subjected to physical or psychological torture, enticement or humiliating treatment, and the Law lays down the
punishment for anyone who is guilty of such actions. No statement shall be valid if it is established that it has been obtained as a result of
torture, enticement or humiliating treatment, or threats of such measures.
Article 21 [Criminal Punishments]
There shall be no crime and no punishment except in accordance with the criteria of a Law, and there shall be no punishment except for
actions cognisable in Law. Punishment is personal not transferable.
Article 22 [Presumption of Innocence, Due Process, Personal Integrity]
An accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a legal trial which ensures him the essential guarantee to exercise his right of defence
according to the Law. It is prohibited to harm the accused either bodily or mentally.
Article 23 [Right to Counsel]
The accused has the right to appoint a person who has the ability to defend him during the trial. The Law defines the circumstances
which require the presence of a lawyer on behalf of the accused and guarantees those without the financial capacity, the means to resort
to justice and the defence of their rights.
Article 24 [Arrest]
Anyone who is arrested shall be notified of the causes of his arrest immediately and he shall have the right to contact whoever he sees fit,
to inform them of what has taken place or seek their assistance, in the manner regulated by the Law. He must be informed promptly of
the charges against him, and he and his representative shall have the right to appeal before the judicial authorities against the measure
which has restricted his personal freedom. The Law regulates his right of appeal in a manner which ensures that a judgement will be
issued on it within a specified period, failing which he must be released.
Article 25 [Right to Litigation]
The right to litigation is sacrosanct and guaranteed to all people. The Law defines the procedures and circumstances required for
exercising this right and the State guarantees, as far as possible, that the judicial authorities will reconcile the litigants and settle cases
promptly.
Article 26 [Personal Integrity Against Experiments]
It is not permitted to perform any medical or scientific experiment on any person without his freely given consent.
Article 27 [Home]
Dwellings are inviolable and it is not permitted to enter them without the permission of the owner or legal occupant, except in the
circumstances specified by the Law and in the manner stipulated therein.
Article 28 [Religion]
The freedom to practise religious rites in accordance with recognised customs is guaranteed provided that it does not disrupt public order
or conflict with accepted standards of behaviour.
Article 29 [Expression]
Freedom of opinion and expression, whether spoken, written or in other forms, is guaranteed within the limits of the Law.
Article 30 [Communication]
Freedom of postal, telegraphic, telephonic and other forms of communication is sacrosanct and their confidentiality is guaranteed. Hence,
it is not permitted to monitor or inspect them, reveal their contents, or delay or confiscate them except in circumstances defined by the
Law and in accordance with the procedures laid down therein.
Article 31 [Press]
Freedom of the press, printing and publication is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances defined by the Law. It
is prohibited to print or publish material that leads to public discord, violates the security of the State or abuses a
person's dignity and his rights.
Article 32 [Assembly]
Citizens have the right of assembly within the limits of the Law.
Article 33 [Association]
The freedom to form associations on a national basis for legitimate objectives and in a proper manner, in a way that does not conflict with
the stipulations and aims of this Basic Law, is guaranteed under the conditions and in the circumstances defined by the Law. It is
forbidden to establish associations whose activities are inimical to social order, or are secret, or of a military nature. It is not permitted to
force anyone to join any association.
Article 34 [Petition, Public Affairs]
Citizens have the right to address the public authorities on personal matters or on matters related to public affairs, in the manner and on
the conditions laid down by the Law.
Article 35 [Rights of Foreigners]
Every foreigner who is legally resident in the Sultanate shall have the right to protection of his person and his property in accordance with
the Law. Foreigners shall have regard for society's values and respect its traditions and customs.
Article 36 [Asylum]
Extradition of political refugees is prohibited. Extradition of criminals is subject to the provisions of international laws and agreements.
Article 37 [Territorial Integrity, Military Duty]
Defence of the homeland is a sacred duty, and rendering service in the Armed Forces is an honour for citizens regulated by the Law.
Article 38 [National Unity, Duty of Citizens]
Preserving national unity and safeguarding State secrets is a duty incumbent upon every citizen.
Article 39 [Taxes]
Payment of taxes and public dues is a duty in accordance with the Law.
Article 40 [Observance of the Law]
Respect for the Basic Law of the State and the laws and ordinances issued by the public authorities, as well as observance of public order
and public morals, is a duty incumbent upon all residents of the Sultanate.
Little is known of the pre-historic period of the Oman region though sparse artifacts indicate
the existence of humans as early as the late Stone Age. Like the rest of the Arabian
Peninsula, Oman came under the dominance of various Semitic Tribes who had migrated
into the region around 3300 BCE. The Magan, a tribe which thrived around 2300 BCE, traded
with the Sumer and is believed to have been located in Oman. The Kingdom of Qataban
dominated the region from the 4th Century BCE to the 3rd Century CE followed by the
Himyar, Aksumite and Sassanid Kingdoms. Oman adopted Islam in the 7th Century,
empowering Arab peoples to depose the Persian Kingdoms though Oman was eventually
reconquered by the Qarmatians, the Iranian Buyyids and the Great Seljuk empire in 1194.
The Portuguese conquered Muscat in 1515 who held it until 1650 when it was conquered by
the Yarubid Imamate and the establishment of the Al Said Dynasty in the 18th Century.
Oman was the object of Franco-British rivalry throughout the 18th century. During the 19th
century, Oman and the United Kingdom concluded several treaties of friendship and
commerce. In 1908 the British entered into an agreement of friendship. Their traditional
association was confirmed in 1951 through a new treaty of friendship, commerce, and
navigation by which the United Kingdom recognized the Sultanate of Oman as a fully
independent state. On 6 November 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued the Basic Law by Royal
Decree which fundamentally serves as Oman's Constitution. Human rights are enumerated
beginning with Part Three (Public Rights and Duties), conform with the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights of which Oman is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Oman's Basic Law, click here.
the existence of humans as early as the late Stone Age. Like the rest of the Arabian
Peninsula, Oman came under the dominance of various Semitic Tribes who had migrated
into the region around 3300 BCE. The Magan, a tribe which thrived around 2300 BCE, traded
with the Sumer and is believed to have been located in Oman. The Kingdom of Qataban
dominated the region from the 4th Century BCE to the 3rd Century CE followed by the
Himyar, Aksumite and Sassanid Kingdoms. Oman adopted Islam in the 7th Century,
empowering Arab peoples to depose the Persian Kingdoms though Oman was eventually
reconquered by the Qarmatians, the Iranian Buyyids and the Great Seljuk empire in 1194.
The Portuguese conquered Muscat in 1515 who held it until 1650 when it was conquered by
the Yarubid Imamate and the establishment of the Al Said Dynasty in the 18th Century.
Oman was the object of Franco-British rivalry throughout the 18th century. During the 19th
century, Oman and the United Kingdom concluded several treaties of friendship and
commerce. In 1908 the British entered into an agreement of friendship. Their traditional
association was confirmed in 1951 through a new treaty of friendship, commerce, and
navigation by which the United Kingdom recognized the Sultanate of Oman as a fully
independent state. On 6 November 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued the Basic Law by Royal
Decree which fundamentally serves as Oman's Constitution. Human rights are enumerated
beginning with Part Three (Public Rights and Duties), conform with the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights of which Oman is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Oman's Basic Law, click here.