In Oman, the constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion, yet this right is subjected to considerable limitations. Although the country presents itself as a tolerant society, its policies on religious expression reveal a more complex reality of limited freedoms and state-imposed boundaries.
The government exerts tight control over religious expression through the Basic Law which declares Islam as the state religion and sharia as the basis for legislation and restricts the activities of religious minorities and non-Muslim groups. Although individuals can practice their faith privately, non-Muslims are banned from proselytizing and publicly expressing their religious beliefs. The Law prohibits religious discrimination but does not explicitly address apostasy or religious conversion.
The Kingdom has enforced laws that restrict proselytism, missionary activities, and the distribution of religious materials that contradict state-sanctioned interpretations of Islam. Ambiguous accusations such as “offending the Sultan” and “diminishing the state’s reputation” have been used to charge activists and dissenters. Legal provisions also prohibit any communication that “might prejudice public order or religious value”.
As a result, individuals who openly question religious traditions or engage in discussions about sensitive subjects often faced prosecution, including unfair trials, and detention.
Four individuals involved in a case known as Ghaith spaces, a space on Twitter where participants discussed freedom of thought and religion, were arrested in 2021 for sharing content that allegedly “would harm religious values and public order” and in August 2023 an appeals court was reiterated.
The government has pursued repressive policies that restrain freedom of expression, both in social media and the press. Authorities are allowed to block websites, revoke licenses, and prosecute journalists for content violations. Social media and communication accounts have also been hacked to delete posts that were advocating for freedom of religion. In addition, private media outlets often receive government subsidies or engage in self-censorship to avoid legal consequences or forced closure.
Moreover, from their arrest to their imprisonment, human rights defenders and activists are subjected to torture and abuse to coerce confession or as a form of punishment. They also suffer from medical neglect, lack of legal assistance and unfair trials. Indeed, the law recognizes public trials and appeals, yet there are instances where the government reserves the right to close sensitive cases to the public and deny the appeal.
ECDHR denounces the authorities’ systematic policies that limit freedom of religion and belief and demands the immediate release of human rights defenders including online activists who faced harassment and judicial persecution for freely expressing their opinion. Also, Oman’s government must ensure that torture and inhumane treatment are not used in detention centers. Finally, Oman’s government should hold perpetrators of repressive policies that restrain freedom of religion accountable.