MUSCAT: The right of Omanis to peaceful assembly is “virtually non-existent in practice” a United Nations special rapporteur said yesterday during a visit to the Gulf country, which detained hundreds in 2011 after quashing pro-democracy protests.
Oman, a US ally which occupies one side of the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest oil shipping route, has an elected parliament but ultimate power rests in the hands of H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled since 1970.
“In my meetings with the government, I observed a consistent focus on maintaining peace, order and stability in Oman, often used as the rationale for limiting assembly and association rights,” said Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of peaceful assembly and association.
REUTERS
