Further to an appeal issued on 16 January 2013 (see:https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/321), prominent Omani human rights defender Saed Jadad was released on 22 January 2013 by order of Sultan Qaboos. He was then transferred  from the Special Section to the Public Prosecution office in order to put the legal formalities to implement the Sultan’s order. However, contrary to all applicable laws, Saed Jadad was then interrogated in the Prosecution’s office without the presence of his lawyer. He was then released on bail and returned home. 

According to reports received by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), the Public Prosecution Office asked Jadad to sign a pledge including to agree to stop writing. Jadad refused to sign the pledge, and as a result he was told that the case will remain open against him.

Jadad was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of his detention, which began on 14 January 2013. The following charges were directed against him: 

 1. Stirring sectarian strife;

2. Undermining the reputation of the state;

3. Inciting demonstrations and sit-ins and stirring unrest;

4. Damaging the reputation of the security forces;

5. Talking about corruption and discrediting state officials.

All these charges fall within the framework of the security of the state and upon conviction, sentences may reach up to 15 years in prison.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the attempt by authorities in Oman to force Saed Jadad to stop writing and keep this case open in order to use it against him, which, as a result, may give him no option but to stop his peaceful and legitimate activities in the field of human rights.

The GCHR therefore urges authorities in Oman to:

1. Immediately stop targeting human rights defender Saed Jadad, and uphold the Sultan’s order to release him, without restrictions such as a ban on writing;

2. Unconditionally drop all charges against Saed Jadad as they are directly linked to his peaceful and legitimate activities as a human rights defender, according to his rights guaranteed under international law, such as the Universal Declaration of human Rights and the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Oman are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment. 

The GCHR respectfully reminds you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 6 (c) “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters” and to Article 12.2, which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”.