OHRC Reviews 2025 Human Rights Efforts, Flags Child Protection and Workers’ Rights

The Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) handled 1,479 cases in 2025 as it expanded its monitoring, complaint resolution and awareness initiatives covering workers’ welfare, child protection, healthcare, education and conditions in detention facilities.

In its annual review, the commission said it investigated complaints, verified facts and coordinated with relevant authorities to resolve cases in line with national legislation and international human rights conventions.

The OHRC also provided legal guidance to complainants, helping them access official channels to pursue their cases. Its work during the year focused on access to justice, detainees’ rights, healthcare services in correctional facilities, housing conditions, employment, education, social protection and environmental issues.

Monitoring Workers’ Welfare

As part of its efforts to protect labour rights, the commission conducted field visits to workers’ accommodation to assess living conditions, safety standards, healthcare facilities and hygiene levels.

Officials also met workers to understand their concerns and evaluate the services and facilities provided by employers.

The report highlighted the commission’s continued monitoring of prison conditions and rehabilitation programmes. It said complaints were addressed in coordination with relevant authorities, while initiatives such as family meeting facilities, cultural programmes and exhibitions displaying inmates’ work were introduced to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

Citizenship, Pardons and Public Services

The OHRC also monitored several developments during 2025, including Royal Decrees granting Omani citizenship to 329 individuals and Royal pardons covering 2,115 inmates, including both Omani and foreign nationals.

The commission said these measures reflected principles of citizenship, social stability and restorative justice.

It also followed up on complaints related to school maintenance after concerns were raised over student safety. The issue prompted the Ministry of Education to issue directives requiring stricter supervision of maintenance projects and compliance with safety standards.

In the healthcare sector, the commission welcomed the opening of the Muscat Recovery Centre, Oman’s first government-run addiction rehabilitation facility, and noted the establishment of the Suhar Recovery Centre through a public-private partnership.

The OHRC also highlighted improvements in reducing waiting times for medical appointments and surgeries, along with the launch of Oman’s National Health Policy.

Warning Over Child Exploitation on Social Media

The commission raised concerns over the growing exploitation of children on social media, warning that some families were using children’s online presence for popularity or financial gain at the expense of their rights and wellbeing.

The OHRC said such practices could negatively affect children’s psychological and social development, exposing them to risks including cyberbullying, abuse and blackmail.

It called for stronger protection measures through closer coordination between authorities and increased public awareness of children’s digital privacy rights.

The commission recommended stricter monitoring of online content, particularly material shared by influencers, along with updated regulations and faster reporting mechanisms to tackle digital abuse.

It urged parents and guardians to avoid publishing children’s personal information, photographs or other private details online, and called for measures to ensure the safe and responsible use of social media by individuals under the age of 18.

The OHRC said it also strengthened its public awareness programmes in 2025, trained a new group of internationally accredited human rights trainers, published workers’ rights guides in six languages and enhanced cooperation with international human rights bodies.

 

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