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Oman

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

July 2024

Deadly attack near Shiite Mosque in Muscat claimed by Islamic State

On 15 July, multiple gunmen attacked worshipers near a Shiite Mosque in the Wadi Kabir neighbourhood of Muscat. The attack occurred on the eve of the Shiite Muslim holiday of Ashura. Six people were killed and approximately 28 others were injured, according to the Royal Oman Police. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. International media outlets that analysed video footage of the incident reported that the assailants used derogatory terms to refer to Shiites. On 18 July, the Royal Oman Police issued a statement announcing that the three perpetrators were killed. While the authorities did not explicitly link the individuals to IS, they noted that the attackers were "influenced by misguided ideas." Shia Muslims are a minority in Oman, a country known for relatively low rates of registered crime and sectarian violence.

Sources: Royal Oman Police (1), Royal Oman Police (2), The New York Times, The National, Reuters 

October 2023

Oman holds legislative elections
Election flag

Oman conducted general elections on 29 October to elect 90 members to the Majlis Al-Shura Council for its tenth term, spanning 2023 to 2027. There were a total of 843 candidates, including 32 women. The elections saw a record turnout of 65.9 per cent, with more than 753,000 registered voters casting their ballots across the country. The early voting statistics showed a balanced gender participation, with 13.55 per cent male and 10.39 per cent female voters.

The voting process was monitored by Oman's Supreme Committee for Elections to ensure its fairness and transparency. As an absolute monarchy, the elected legislature serves primarily in an advisory capacity. Despite the democratic proceedings, the sultan retains primary power, with political rights and civil liberties remaining limited.

Sources: Government of Oman, Gulf News, Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation, Times of Oman

Oman launches region’s first mobile –app for elections

Oman’s October general elections saw all seats of the Majlis al-Shura, or Omani Consultative Assembly, up for grabs. Voting rights are extended to every Omani citizen above the age of 21, applicable in government elections such as those for the Shura Council and Municipal Council. The elections included the launch of the region’s first mobile app for elections, which contributed to a record voter turnout of 65.9 per cent. It was a significant milestone and featured an audio reading feature and sign language support for the deaf and hard of hearing, along with high-level security measures, serving as an innovative model for other countries aiming to modernize their voting systems.

Sources: Times of Oman, Gulf News, Asharaq Al-Awsat

See all event reports for this country

Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023

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Representation
123/173
Rights
109/173
Rule of Law
85/173
Participation
156/173
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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
4 576 298
System of government
Absolute Monarchy
Head of government
Sultan and Prime Minister Haitham bin Tariq (since 2020)
Head of government party
Not applicable
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
First Past the Post Block Vote
Last legislative election
2023
Head of state
Sultan and Prime Minister Haitham bin Tariq (since 2020)
Selection process for head of state
Hereditary or election by hereditary state rulers
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
21/01/2021
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
78.79%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
No Action
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
No Action
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
No Action
Equal Remuneration Convention
No Action
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
No Action
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
Arab Charter on Human Rights
No Action
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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