Oman Human Rights Commission Study Visit 2023

The Omani Human Rights Commission (OHRC) reached out to the Dutch Embassy in Oman for their support in the shape of a capacity-building study visit. In September 2022, Oman opened a dialogue on human rights with the European Union. As tides are shifting, this study visit was perceived as a window of opportunity to help bring this dialogue to a further level.

This project aimed to support the Omani Human Rights Commission in restructuring its institutional architecture. and specifically focuses on knowledge exchange among peers.

The beneficiaries of the project were eleven members of the OHRC and four representatives of the following civil society organisations:

• Oman Journalists Association,
• General Federation of Oman Workers,
• Children First Association,
• Association for children with disability

The programme focused on 3 pillars:

• The institutional architecture of the commission,
• Civil engagement,
• How to translate human rights into law enforcement institutions.

Through the study visit, the participants had the opportunity to visit a number of international and Dutch institutions such as:

• The Human Rights Institute of the Netherlands (College voor de Rechten van de Mens),
• The Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV),
• Children and National Ombudsman offices,
• Netherlands Helsinki Committee,
• Foundation for Justice and Peace,
• International Court of Justice,
• International Criminal Court.