A/HRC/17/2
recommendations of other States. Oman emphasized that the human, economic and social
development in the country was consistently aimed at realizing the highest living standards
while preserving human dignity, freedom and peace by means of an integrated legislative
framework that ensured justice, equality and social responsibility.
365. Soon after the adoption of its report by the Working Group in January 2011, the
ministerial committee tasked with the preparation of the national report had met under the
leadership of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss the recommendations received and
to formulate Oman’s position towards them. Furthermore, on 26 February, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, together with the regional office of OHCHR, had held a workshop on
international human rights treaties in order to strengthen cooperation and to promote a full
understanding of the contents of these treaties in the context of the level of development in
the sultanate, with a view to their progressive implementation.
366. The delegation noted that, at the time of its review, Oman had received 166
recommendations, of which it had accepted 103, postponed for further consideration 51,
and rejected 12. It was pleased to announce that it was now in a position to accept 39
additional recommendations, noting that the content and implementation of
recommendations was of course more important than the numbers. In this regard, the
delegation indicated by way of example that a recommendation concerning the importance
of the independence of the public prosecution had been implemented through a decree
providing for the separation of the public prosecution from executive power. In accordance
with the provisions of its legislative framework, Oman had accepted a recommendation to
consider accession to four core treaties, namely the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance.
367. Furthermore, in accordance with its belief in an open and constructive engagement
with United Nations human rights mechanisms, Oman had accepted a recommendation to
study the possibility of extending an open invitation to all special procedures. It had also
accepted recommendations to strengthen its national human rights commission and to bring
it into line with the Paris Principles, in the light of the important role that the Commission
played as a link between civil society and Government institutions. In this context, the
delegation mentioned that, in 2010, the commission, in cooperation with OHCHR, had
initiated the holding of a workshop in Oman on the role and functioning of national human
rights institutions. Among other findings, the workshop had concluded that, to a large
extent, the Commission was already in compliance with the Paris Principles and only
needed to make some additional adjustments.
368. Oman had also accepted a number of recommendations to review certain laws and
reconsider various reservations made on provisions of human rights treaties, on the
understanding that the reform and modernization of legislation was a continuous process in
Oman.
369. In conclusion, the delegation affirmed that Oman consistently worked to further
promote human rights, including through awareness-raising, legislative measures and the
strengthening of its institutions.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the
review outcome
370. Qatar noted that Oman had approved a large number of recommendations made
during the review, including the five recommendations submitted by Qatar. Oman’s
approach to the review had demonstrated its constructive cooperation with the Human
GE.12-13630
139
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents