Urgent Action update: Shuhuh tribe members expect verdict in unfair trial in Oman
On 24 September, an Omani court is expected to issue its verdict in the case of four detainees from the province of Musandam. Authorities have not disclosed any legal basis for the detentions, citing only vague “national security” grounds, and proceedings have violated international guarantees of the right to fair trial.
Please write immediately in Arabic, English, or your own language:
◼ Urging the Omani authorities to drop all charges that stem solely from the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and association or that are based on vague grounds of “national security,” and to release all the detainees immediately and unconditionally unless they are promptly charged with an internationally recognized crime;
◼ Calling on the authorities to ensure that the defendants have the right to appeal any guilty verdict before an independent and impartial tribunal in proceedings that meet international standards of fair trial;
◼ Calling on the Omani authorities to ensure that the defendants are allowed to communicate freely with their families and with the legal counsel of their choice, and are protected against torture and other ill-treatment while in detention.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 02 NOVEMBER 2018 TO:
Minister of Justice
AbdulMalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili
Twitter: @moj_gov
Fax: +968 2460 2725
Email: info@moj.gov.com
Salutation: Your Excellency
Sultan
Qaboos bin Said
c/o Diwan of the Royal Court
Fax: +968 2474 2401
Twitter: @__qaboos__
Salutation: Your Majesty
And copies to:
Chairman:
Abdulla bin Shawin Amur al-Husni
Oman Human Rights Commission
Fax: +968 2421 8906
info@ohrc.om
Salutation: Sheikh
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. HIS EXCELLENCY ABDULAZIZ ABDULLAH ZAHIR AL HINAI, Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, 167 Queens Gate Sw7 5HE, 020 7225 0001, Fax 020 7589 2505
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA 121/18. Further information: www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde20/8642/2018/en/.