We want Oman to be a role model for other nations: NHRC

By V L Srinivasan

Muscat, May 1 - Two months after it was set up by a Royal Decree No 10/2010, petitions have been trickling into the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office from all over Oman.

Numbering around a dozen and a half, these petitions, seeking redressal of grievances, are being referred to the appropriate panels within the commission. Three sub-committees have been constituted by the NHRC to study the petitions and check their veracity. If they are found to be baseless, the petitioners will be informed that no action will be taken on them.

NHRC chairman H E Mohammed bin Abdullah al Riyami told Muscat Daily that these petitions were of different kinds, and would be evaluated and analysed first. If found to be genuine, they will be sent to the relevant departments along with the commission's recommendations, which are mandatory, for necessary action.

He said the commission can also receive complaints on harassment of employees by employers, and prisoners' human rights violations. “We will follow up all cases we receive, to their final conclusion. However, the NHRC will not be a substitute for the courts or public prosecution, as it has no judicial powers,” he pointed out.

At present, the commission is drafting the rules and regulations which will be sent to the State Council for approval. The entire process can take another three to four weeks, and the commission hopes they will be in place within the next month or so.

“Our aim is to further improve the human rights record in the sultanate and preserve the rights of citizens and expatriates. We want Oman to be a role model for other countries in the region as far as practising human rights is concerned,” he said, adding that the Basic Statute Law, which has issued after Royal Decree 101/1996, has set the foundation for human rights under different articles.

The NHRC plans to launch its website soon, and people who are residing far away from Muscat and cannot submit their petitions in person, will be able to do so online. However, they must meet the NHRC officials for formal processing of the case.

“While petitioners living in Muscat will be asked to come to the NHRC office for disposal of the case, the commission's members will visit distant places like Musandam and Salalah to meet them. As part of its key mandates, the commission will submit annual reports to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said every year on its activities,” Riyami said.

On cooperation with government departments and other entities, he said the NHRC members have already begun visiting them to ensure a working relationship for achieving common goals with regard to human rights. The departments have also responded positively and assured the commission of their full cooperation.