Omani Supreme Court shuts down independent “Azamn” newspaper indefinitely
The Supreme Court of Oman issued a final ruling on the closure of Azamn, ending the paper’s fight to reopen and shuttering it permanently. Azamn is regarded as an independent newspaper characterised by its anti-corruption reporting since its establishment in 2007.
Omani authorities block access to online magazine “Mowatin”
The blocking decision is the latest in a series of repressive measures taken by Omani authorities as part of the country’s broader crackdown on independent media.
Systematic targeting of rights advocates and online activists continues in Oman
The Internal Security Service (ISS) has arrested human rights defender Ahmed Al-Bahri and Internet activist Khalid Al-Ramadani for their peaceful and legitimate activities in the field of human rights and their writing on social media networks.
Oman’s public prosecutor threatens online activists in exile
The Public Prosecution held its annual press conference in Muscat, Oman, during which it threatened Internet activists, who are engaged in peaceful activities while in exile, with prosecution in order to silence them.
Omani court sentences writer and cinema critic Abdullah Habib to 3 years in prison
Omani writer Abdullah Habib, 53, was sentenced in relation to his writings on Facebook. He was charged with violating Article 19 of the Information Technology Crimes Act for “using the Internet in what would prejudice the state public order.”
Oman arrests journalists of Azamn newspaper in affront to free press
The three arrests of Azamn journalists are not isolated incidents. The Government of Oman has been recently stifling expressions of free press and free speech.
Omani journalist detained over article on judiciary
Oman’s Internal Security Service (ISS) arrested prominent journalist Ibrahim Al-Maamari, Editor-in-chief of Azamn newspaper on 28 July 2016.
Civil society to Obama: Live up to your 2011 promises, support reform in the Gulf
Eleven regional and international civil society groups have penned a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama urging him to press for the release of all detained rights defenders across the Gulf region who are imprisoned solely due to their peaceful and legitimate human rights work.
Activists voicing criticisms on social media face prison in Oman
Omani courts have sentenced online activists to prison in two separate cases in February 2016 for their social media posts.
Omani authorities persecute online activists and bloggers
The frequency with which bloggers and social network users are arrested and convicted in the Sultanate of Oman reflects the appalling state of online freedom of information and expression there.
Omani blogger Muawiyah Alrawahi detained for more than a month
Muawiyah Alrawahi, who has criticized Omani authorities on his blog and YouTube channel, has long been persecuted for his work.
Rights activist sentenced to three years in prison in Oman
Said Jaddad, 48, a prominent pro-reform blogger, is being held at the detention facility in the southern city of Salalah.
Rights routinely trampled in Oman as government critics face harassment, detention
Oman’s security forces routinely harass, detain, and imprison rights defenders, social media users, and others critical of governmental policies, Human Rights Watch said.
Omani blogger targeted, harassed for his criticism of government policies
Police released Mohammed al-Fazari on September 4, 2014, without filing charges against him, but threatened to prosecute him if he continued criticizing the government.
Oman holding blogger Muawiyah Alrawahi at psychiatric hospital
Omani blogger Muawiyah Alrawahi is known for using his blog and YouTube channel to discuss atheism and raise other sensitive topics, including criticism of Sultan Qaboos.
Two bloggers detained in Oman for reporting rights violations
Two Omani bloggers and activists, Noah Saad and Muawiyah Al-Rawahi, were arrested on 12 July for reporting human rights violations in Oman.