Expression

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.