On 14 May, 15 people were arrested while holding a peaceful protest in
Muscat, the capital of Oman. Fourteen continue to be detained, including
Muhammad al-Habssi and Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri, both activists. The
whereabouts of their detention is unknown. They are believed to be held
incommunicado and are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
The 15 individuals were among a larger group of people who held a peaceful
protest in People’s Square in front of the Shura Council, in Muscat, on
Saturday, 14 May. Omani security forces are reported to have surrounded the
area where the protesters were assembled. The security forces closed the
roads and ordered the demonstrators to disperse within 10 minutes; some did
so, but others refused to disperse and were then arrested.
Among those still detained are Muhammad al-Habssi, Nabhan al-Hanashi, and
Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri.
Prominent female lawyer Basma al-Kiyumi, the only woman who was among those arrested, was released on 16 May; she was charged in connection with participating in an unlawful gathering and released on bail to await trial at future date.According to this report she has been released.
The protesters were calling for the release of other people who were arrested while carrying out protests on Thursday 12 May in Muscat and in the cities of Salalah and Sur.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Arabic or your own language:
* Urging the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Muhammad
al-Habssi, Nabhan al-Hanashi, Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri and others arrested
in connection with recent protests and to ensure that they are protected
from torture or other ill-treatment and given immediate access to their
families, lawyers and any medical attention they need;
* Calling for their immediate and unconditional release if they are being
held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of
expression and assembly;
* Asking for details of any charges they face to be made public and
calling on the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against
them conform to international fair trial standards;
* Calling on the authorities to make public the names of all those
arrested recently and to uphold and protect the right to peaceful
protest.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 28 June 2011 TO:
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id
Head of State, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Finance Minister
Diwan of the Royal Court
The Palace
Muscat 113
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24 735 375
Salutation: Your Majesty
His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal bin Said Al Busaidi
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of Interior
PO Box 127
Ruwi 112
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Salutation: Your Excellency
And copies to:
Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyami
Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
P.O.Box 29, Postal Code: 103
Bareq A' Shati
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24648801
Email: enquiry@nhrc.om
Salutation: Dear Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyam
Also send copies to:
Ms Valerie Farmer,
Honorary Consul
Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman
Postal Address: PO Box 28-167, Auckland 1541
Fax: +64 (0)9 522 4486
Email: v.farmer@xtra.co.nz
Check with your Urgent Action Team if sending appeals after the above date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Omani security forces appear to have used excessive force against peaceful
and other protestors on a number of occasions since protestors calling for
political and other reform took to the streets earlier this year. At least
three protesters have been killed and dozens have been injured as a result
of the security forces firing of weapons at demonstrations. Many others have
been arrested for involvement in protests.
Following protests on 27 February, Oman’s head of state Sultan Qaboos
ordered the creation of 50,000 jobs and 150 Omani riyals a month
(approximately US$390) in benefits for the unemployed in response to
protesters’ demands. On 7 March, Sultan Qaboos made a wide-ranging reshuffle
and restructuring of the cabinet, sacking a number of ministers.
However, protesters have continued intermittently to call for the sacking of
other ministers, including the Minister of Information. They have also
called for several current and former ministers, such as the former Minister
of the Royal Office, to be held to account for offences they are alleged to
have committed while in office. In addition, they are voicing the need for
greater freedom of the press and for the reforms that Sultan Qaboos ordered
in February and March to be implemented.
The Omani authorities continue to maintain strict restrictions on freedom of
expression and assembly. Several bloggers and journalists have been targeted
in recent years for after criticizing the government, including some who
have been detained.
No comments:
Post a Comment