Human Rights Council 51st Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Oman

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from Oman.

We commend Oman for launching a new National Human Rights Strategy, acceding to the ICCPR, and strengthening protections for persons with disabilities, women and migrant workers.

New Zealand recommends that Oman:

1. Continue to strengthen labour laws that provide comprehensive protections and non-discrimination for migrants and women, particularly with regards to recruitment, compensation, workplace conditions and treatment;
2. Strengthen and align its legal framework on freedom of expression with international human rights standards, including the Media Law, and relevant provisions of the Penal Code;
3. Strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the new Law on Combating Human Trafficking and relevant provisions of the Penal Code; and
4. Establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and accede to ICCPR Optional Protocol 2.

We thank the delegation for their participation today and wish them a successful review.

Thank you Mr President.