The government extended an amnesty conditions in May and June with arrests and scheme allowing free exit to migrant workers use of force. In May, protests took place in with illegal status until the end of August, several cities, including Sohar and Salalah. without which they could face criminal and Videos posted online showed a heavy financial liabilities. presence of security and military forces firing FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION tear gas at protesters and arresting scores. Many were released the same day but others Freedom of expression remained severely remained in custody for several days, curtailed. In February, the Internal Security including activist Ibrahim al-Baluchi. They Service arrested four environmental activists were released after being made to sign – Ahmed Issa Qatan, Salem Ali al-Maashani, pledges not to participate in future Amer Bait Saeed and Salem Tabuk – for demonstrations. commenting on Twitter against a In August, authorities arrested Talal al- governmental decision banning camel Salmani after he submitted a request to grazing in the plain of Dhofar governorate, in organize a demonstration calling for the prelude to construction of housing shutdown of liquor stores and posting online complexes. The Court of First Instance in a related video. In October, a court of first Salalah city sentenced Salem al-Maashani to instance sentenced him to a suspended six- a suspended one-month prison term and a month prison term and he was released. fine, Ahmed Qatan to a suspended six-month prison term and a fine, and Salem Tabuk to WOMEN’S RIGHTS two months in prison and a fine, for Women continued to be denied full rights in “publishing information that harms public law and in practice. Under the UPR process order”. Amer Saeed was acquitted. in January, Oman rejected recommendations In March, Oman blocked the social network to withdraw its remaining reservations to app Clubhouse citing “lack of proper CEDAW, including those granting women licence”. The app had gained traction during equal rights with men in matters relating to lockdown and become popular among the nationality of children, marriage, divorce activists. and other family matters. It also rejected the In July, security forces arrested online recommendations to criminalize marital rape. activist Gaith al-Shebli, who initiated online Furthermore, in the World Bank’s Women, discussions on Twitter on atheism, religion Business and the Law index for 2021, which and freedom of speech. At least two others, a ranks women’s economic opportunities, man and a woman, were arrested for Oman ranked lower than the regional engaging with him on Twitter and then average, scoring 35.5 out of 100. It noted released after signing pledges to stop such that women in Oman were especially activity. In August, authorities detained disadvantaged in terms of mobility, Khamis al-Hatali for posting a video online parenthood and marriage. criticizing the sultan and calling him an MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS “oppressor”. In December, the Ministry of Information Migrant workers continued to face abuse and shut down the radio programme All exploitation due to insufficient protection, Questions following an interview with a including poor living conditions, forced labour member of the Shura Council (Consultative and human trafficking. Domestic workers, Assembly) who criticized the performance of mostly women, faced long working days, the head of the council. home confinement and unpaid wages. FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY During the UPR process, Oman rejected recommendations to ratify the International Authorities responded to protests against Convention on the Protection of the Rights of unemployment and deteriorating economic Amnesty International Report 2021/22 285