Human Right Event
The OHRC commenced its activities at the United Nations Palace in Geneva with a speech by the Honorable Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain Al-Hosani, OHRC Chairman. In his speech, H.E. stated that the aim of these events is to celebrate 15 years of achievements and continuous efforts in the field of human rights since the establishment of the OHRC in 2008, as these events coincide with the celebration by the United Nations of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles. The OHRC Chairman highlighted that the Sultanate of Oman recently issued a social protection law that enhances efforts at the social level. Furthermore, a new labor law was issued, which consists of new Articles aimed at providing more protection for workers. These and other steps taken by the government in Oman would enhance efforts to secure a better life and greater protection of human rights. H.E. also pointed out that the OHRC shares with the world the great responsibilities and challenges related to human rights. He underscored the imperative for genuine cooperation and collaborative efforts, emphasizing the necessity to intensify endeavors in advancing peace, security, justice, and equality.
An Introductory Film
After that, an introductory film was presented about the OHRC and its mechanism of work, the terms of reference, programs, and visits that it implements, besides its role in raising awareness and education about human rights, in addition to its communication with regional and international organizations, and its membership in the various committees concerned. The OHRC Director of the Department of Organizations and International Relations, Ms. Shatha bint Abdul Majeed Al-Zadjaliya, also gave a visual presentation, in which she explained that the new OHRC system stipulated that its composition shall be from those interested in human rights and experienced people, in addition to representatives of a number of relevant government agencies. This achieves the principle of pluralism in the composition stipulated in the Paris Principles governing the work of national committees. The presentation also highlighted electing the Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among the members at their first meeting from non-government representatives. Decisions are issued by a majority of the votes of the members present from civil society representatives. Furthermore, the presentation clarified the terms of reference of the OHRC, encompassing the development of a national human rights strategy, monitoring human rights violations, receiving and addressing complaints, conducting on-site visits to assess human rights situations, and fostering awareness and education through the organization of conferences, courses, and seminars. It also highlighted the committee’s collaboration with international mechanisms related to human rights, including the preparation of reports and active participation in meetings at both regional and international levels. The Director of the Department of Organizations and International Relations concluded the lecture by explaining that the OHRC met all the required conditions, in accordance with the Paris Principles, and it will submit its file to the International Accreditation Committee of the United Nations Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions for re-accreditation to Classification (A). Subsequently, the floor was opened for discussion with the attendees. The delegation provided comprehensive responses to inquiries concerning human rights in the Sultanate of Oman, the OHRC terms of reference, responsibilities, it also elucidated the measures and steps taken to uphold and safeguard human rights in the country. Numerous attendees conveyed their appreciation for the dedicated efforts in the realm of human rights in Oman and commended the valuable work undertaken by the OHRC.
Exhibition
The OHRC held an accompanying exhibition at the UN Palace in Geneva that summarizes the progress of the OHRC over the past 15 years and explains part of its work and achievements. The exhibition was designed, implemented and directed by a specialized team from the OHRC. It contained information, pictures and charts that reflect the activity and work of the OHRC, the stages of development of its legislation, the members representing it, its most prominent competencies, and the memberships it obtained at the regional and international levels. This is in addition to the means of monitoring and receiving reports, the method of communicating with it, and the field visits it carries out, including visiting prison inmates, monitoring elections, and the mechanism for writing reports of governments and external organizations. The exhibition also clarified the OHRC role in submitting parallel reports to government reports of international treaty committees, its participation in the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations, its interaction with international organizations and committees, and the most prominent programs it has implemented during the past years.
Printed Publications
During the exhibition, a set of the OHRC printed publications and annual reports were distributed. The OHRC has so far issued more than 20 publications in various fields of human rights, and focused on clarifying the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled, in addition to printing international charters and conventions related to human rights.
Screen displays.
A group of the OHRC films were also shown through screen displays installed in selected places at the UN Palace in Geneva, which included films introducing the OHRC and its mechanism of work, its efforts in raising awareness and educating society about human rights, and films about some of the vulnerable groups in society, such as women, children, the elderly, and the disabled.
Meeting with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Council
The OHRC Chairman of the Committee and the accompanying delegation met with H.E. Vaklak Balik, Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Council. During the meeting, Mr. Balik was introduced to the work and terms of reference of the OHRC, its efforts at the national, regional and international levels, its participation in submitting parallel reports to government reports, and attending the discussions of the Human Rights Council. The OHRC Chairman also explained the most prominent developments in the field of human rights in the Sultanate of Oman. For his part, the Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Council expressed his appreciation for the work of the OHRC. He praised the role played by the OHRC and the developments in the serious law of the OHRC. H.E. also praised the role of the OHRC at the regional level, besides its role in the organization of the first Gulf Forum of Human Rights Institutions in Muscat, and the events organized by the OHRC in Geneva, which attracted a large number of visitors from different countries of the world.
Meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner
The OHRC Chairman and the accompanying delegation also met with H.E. Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Al-Nisour, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Section of the OHCHR. The OHRC Chairman briefed on the most prominent legislative and legal developments in the Sultanate of Oman related to human rights. For her part, the Deputy High Commissioner praised the role of the OHRC at various levels, its efforts in raising awareness and education on human rights, and the steps taken in the field of the its terms of reference and system of work. She also appreciated the OHRC organization of a series of events at the UN Palace in Geneva. H.E. expressed appreciation for the efforts made in developing work mechanisms to serve human rights, including those related to the protection of workers, and the establishment of the General Union of Workers of the Sultanate of Oman. On the other hand, H.E. stated that the OHCHR is on its way to strengthen the training center of the OHCHR, based in the Qatari capital Doha, and activate its mechanisms to create more space to benefit from it in developing the capacities of national competencies in the GCC countries in the field of human rights. The OHRC concluded its participation, garnering acclaim and commendations from stakeholders and guests at the UN Palace. The event highlighted the achievements and endeavors in the realm of human rights in the Sultanate of Oman, under the wise leadership and generous care of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
