GENEVA: Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) organised a side event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to showcase the Omani experience, highlight its roles in promoting and protecting human rights, open horizons for dialogue with international partners, and exchange best practices with international institutions and bodies concerned with human rights.
The event was organised in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva. It aimed to highlight the Commission’s institutional role, enhance international cooperation and exchange expertise. It also presented the features of the Commission’s experience and priorities, provided a concise and reliable overview of its work, and highlighted national efforts in various fields — including labour rights — while introducing the Commission’s awareness programmes and tools.
The event targeted a wide range of stakeholders in Geneva, including diplomatic missions accredited to the UN, international organisations, relevant UN agencies, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society organisations and human rights enthusiasts, as well as researchers and media professionals.
The event featured three specialised working papers. The first paper addressed "Business and Human Rights" as a growing field linking economic development with human rights standards, highlighting the Commission's methodology through assessment tools, recommendations, and follow-up, and reviewing its qualitative initiatives, such as the preparation of guiding manuals.
The second paper focused on the promotion and protection of labour rights through field monitoring of working conditions, housing and occupational safety, as well as mechanisms for receiving, verifying and following up on complaints with competent authorities.
The third paper presented an overview of parallel reports and awareness programmes, explaining the methodology for preparing shadow reports in accordance with UN guidelines and the importance of these reports in enhancing transparency and expanding international participation and cooperation in human rights files.
Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC), emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman — with its historical depth and influential geographical location — believes that true stability is only achieved through the rule of law and the safeguarding of human rights. He reviewed the Commission’s journey since its establishment in 2008 by Royal Decree, followed by its transition to a qualitative development phase with its reorganisation under Royal Decree No 57/2022. This decree solidified the framework governing its work and defined its formation, decision-making mechanisms, and competencies in a manner that supports and enhances institutional independence.
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