Urgent Action Update - OMAN

Nine people among 15 that were arrested while holding a peaceful protest in
Muscat, the capital of Oman, have been released. Six are still believed to
be detained. Their whereabouts are 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 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.

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 a future date. On 17 May, some eight other activists were released, among
them Muhammad al-Habssi and Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri. It is not known where
the remaining six – including Nabhan al-Hanashi – are being detained or if
any charges have been brought against them.

The protesters were calling for the release of other people who were
arrested while carrying out protests on 12 May in Muscat and in the cities
of Salalah and Sur.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:
* Urging the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the remaining six
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 the immediate and unconditional release of those still
detained 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 1 JULY 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:
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:[3] enquiry@nhrc.om
Salutation: Dear Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyami


Ms Valerie Farmer,
Honorary Consul
Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman
PO Box 28-167,
Auckland 1541
Fax: +64 (0)9 522 4486
Email:[4] v.farmer@xtra.co.nz


Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above
date. This is the first update of UA 142/11. Further information:
http://bit.ly/j2GSlF