The right to form and operate civil society organisations in Oman is governed by the Law on Associations, which requires all societies to register with and obtain the approval of the Ministry of Social Development. Civil society organisations must also notify the minister 15 days in advanced of any meeting that they plan to hold. In a context where domestic funding for human rights work is virtually non-existent, NGOs and societies must also get ministerial approval before they receive foreign funding. Those who do not comply are considered to be in contravention of the law and are can be punished with up to six months in prison. Article 134 of the Penal Code bans 'the formation of associations, parties and organisations which are against the Sultanate’s statues or social and economic systems.' Individual human rights defenders are subject to frequent harassment, and intimidation, through tactics which include travel bans, persecution through the court system and arbitrary detention.

The Omani Constitution guarantees individuals the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, however the authorities have imposed numerous restrictions on individuals attempting to exercise this right. Article 137 of the Penal Code of Oman requires government approval for all public gatherings and imposes penalties on anyone participating “in a private gathering including at least 9 individuals with a view to commit a riot or a breach of public order”. In addition to bureaucratic restrictions, the authorities have also repressed peaceful demonstrations using excessive force. Protestors also regularly face arrest on the pretext that they are instigating violence and participating in a non-permitted gathering.

Oman’s Basic Law guarantees freedom of expression while forbidding any publication that “leads to public discord, violates the security of the state or abuses a person’s dignity and his rights.” The legal framework is severely restricted. For example, the Press and Publications Law prohibits “publishing any item that could prejudice the behaviours and general ethics and divine religion” and the penal code criminalised publicly insulting or defaming the “Sultan’s rights or authority.” Journalists are often the subject of arbitrary arrests and detention. The government has the power to censor any material in local and foreign media and also exercise heavy control over the internet, by blocking controversial news and through monitoring social media and communications platforms.