On July 29 the Omani Intelligence (Internal Security) arrested human rights defender and blogger Sultan Al-Sa’adi immediately following the pardon issued by Sultan Qaboos on 22 July 2013,  to 14 citizens convicted in relation to the Sohar demonstration  in 2011 which demanded to provide more work opportunities and political reforms. The pardon had created an optimistic atmosphere in Oman for human rights defenders but the pattern of harassment against them has continued.

According to reports received by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) at about eight o’clock pm on 22 July 22, 2013, 14 agents working for the Omani intelligence services arrested  Sultan Al-Sa’adi, while he and his family were at a petrol station. He was arrested arbitrarily without any arrest warrant being provided nor reasons for his arrest by the intelligence agents.

Sultan Al-Sa’adi was arrested twice before due to his peaceful activities and writings in the field of human rights, in 2011 after the outbreak of demonstrations in Sohar, as well as on 12 June 2012, when he was arrested by security forces at his workplace in one of the oil fields, and subsequently  tried  and  convicted on fabricated charges of “insulting the Sultan.” On 26^th August 2012, the Court of First Instance in Muscat ruled his release on bail of 2,500 Rials. On 21 March  2013 he was pardoned by Sultan Qaboos, as were all convicts and detainees accused of  “illegal gathering” and “insulting the Sultan”.

Furthermore,  it has been reported that Internal Security agents  have recently arbitrarily arrested two other activists, Ibrahim Al-Hadabi, and Rashid Al-Miqbali, after their home was raided by the security forces. While, Ibrahim Al-Hadabi has been released after spending one day in detention, Rashid Al-Miqbali is still in detention for more than 30 days now.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights expresses grave concern at the arbitrary arrest and detention of Sultan Al-Sa’adi, Rashid Al-Miqbali, and Ibrahim Al-Hadabi, and believes they have been targeted solely for their legitimate and peaceful work in the field of human rights. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights believes that the actions taken against them are part of an ongoing campaign of harassment against human rights defenders in Oman. 

The GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to: 

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Sultan Al-Sa’adi, and Rashid Al-Miqbali;
2. Grant Sultan Al-Sa’adi, and Rashid Al-Miqbali immediate and unfettered access to their  families and lawyers;
3. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Sultan Al-Sa’adi, and Rashid Al-Miqbali;
4. Immediately Stop targeting and harassing Sultan Al-Sa’adi, Rashid Al-Miqbali, and Ibrahim Al-Hadabi. The Omani Government has a responsibility to meet its international obligations to protect human rights defenders in the country;
5. 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, recognizes 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”.