As part of the cultural activities of the Muscat International Book Fair, the Oman Human Rights Commission held a symposium entitled “A Story of a Decade ‘ to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Commission by the Royal Decree No. (124/2008)” The symposium reviewed the nature of the work of the Commission and the development of the mechanisms for monitoring and receiving notifications. It also highlighted the human rights awareness-raising and education programs the Commission has implemented during the past years.
At the beginning of the symposium, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al Saadi, Director of the Legal Affairs at the Commission, spoke about the vision of the Commission – to be an effective national platform in support, promotion and protection of human rights, duties and responsibilities for all segments of society and its institutions. He noted that the Mission of the Commission is to promote the culture of human rights, duties and responsibilities among members of society and its various institutions, enhancing its practice, and protecting it in accordance with the local and international principles and legislations regulating this.
Al-Saadi explained to the attendees the objectives of the Commission namely establishing a governmental and community system based on equality, law enforcement and justice among members of society in accordance with what is stated in the basic statute of the state, laws and legislations in the Sultanate, international conventions and treaties signed by the Sultanate. He also noted that the aims also include participation in various activities that take place in the community and coordinate with various governmental and non-governmental agencies in various fields, and protecting human rights in the Sultanate by building a communication bridge between civil society and the government
He also talked about the powers of the Commission such as following up the protection of human rights and freedoms in the Sultanate in accordance with the Basic Law of the State, international covenants and conventions, monitoring the observations that foreign governments, international organizations and NGOs may raise in the field of human rights in the Sultanate and coordinating with the relevant authorities to verify and respond to them. , advising the concerned authorities on issues related to human rights and freedoms and contributing to the preparation of reports dealing with these issues, monitoring any violations or abuses related to human rights in the state and helping to settle and solve them. It proposes an annual plan that includes necessary measures to promote the culture of human rights and submit them to the Council of Ministers for adoption. It also coordinates with the competent authorities to ensure the proper implementation of such plans and any other tasks assigned by the Commission relating to its duties.
In the second theme, Walid bin Saeed Al Badi, head of the communications department, talked about the mechanisms for monitoring and receiving notifications approved by the Commission ; either directly by attending in person and filling in the form designated for submitting the notification, or indirectly by making the notification by phone, fax or by mail or through the Commission’s website .This type of notification applies to detainees in prisons, detention and accommodation centers, as well as citizens and residents who are unable to attend the Commission’s headquarters for any reason. A meeting will be then arranged with the affected person at a suitable place.
In the third theme, Salem bin Khalfan Al-Rashdi from the Commission’s Public Relations and Information Department spoke about the awareness and education programs implemented by the Commission. He explained that the Commission is proposing an annual plan that includes the necessary national measures to spread the culture of human rights; according to what was mentioned in the fifth clause of article 7 of the law establishing the Commission. During the past period, the Commission implemented a number of plans in the field of disseminating the culture of human rights and its duties based on Article 12 of its internal regulations, which stipulated for organizing events related to the dissemination of the culture of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Sultanate and the participation at international events in this regard. This is confirmed by international treaties and protocols and the Arab Charter on Human Rights. The National Commissions are the concerned authority to implement this. The Commission aims, through its annual plan, to promote awareness of human rights and ensure the enjoyment of all human rights in the Sultanate. The awareness and education plan include a set of different means that contribute to achieving and disseminating awareness and education and strengthening the concepts of rights and duties through establishing a set of events, seminars, lectures and sessions. The dialogue and training workshops, in addition to cooperating with various state institutions regarding the dissemination of this culture. It also includes preparing a set of publications on human rights, reprinting and translating some human rights issues, and producing a set of audio and video clips in cooperation with national companies specialized in artistic production. It also includes the use of various advertising means to promote the culture of human rights and inform society about the efforts made in this aspect.
The plan promotes national legislation and international treaties to which the Sultanate has acceded, enhances the capabilities of employees, and develops the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve and implement all programs and activities related to awareness and education on human rights issues.
After that, the floor was opened for questions about the Commission’s roles and responsibilities.
