Corruption and Transparency Issues Plague Oman’s Governance

A new report has highlighted concerns over petty corruption within law enforcement agencies and a lack of transparency on state-owned company boards, hindering effective measures against organized crime.

Challenges to Transparency

Concentration of power around the sultan presents significant challenges to the country’s transparency and openness.
The government’s supreme audit institution has been criticized for failing to meet international standards of independence.
There is limited disclosure of information regarding debt obligations, royal family budgets, and the earnings of state-owned enterprises.

International Cooperation and Domestic Efforts

Despite these challenges, Oman has participated in various meetings to strengthen cooperation and combat crime. The country has ratified several important international conventions, including:

United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime
Palermo Protocols

Domestically, Oman has established a comprehensive legal framework to combat organized crime, with a penal code that criminalizes:

Organized crime as an enterprise
Various criminal activities
Membership in a criminal organization

Criminal Justice and Security

Oman’s judicial system is generally perceived as impartial, although cases related to corruption, particularly those involving the royal family, are not accessible to the public. There is no apparent evidence of organized crime influencing the judicial process.

However, reports of abuse and torture in prisons have surfaced, although specific data on the prison population remains unavailable due to the lack of transparency in the penitentiary system. The security and law enforcement apparatus in Oman demonstrates strong civilian control, but there have been instances of corruption among law enforcement officers.

Border Security and Smuggling

Concerns persist regarding Oman’s border with Yemen and the smuggling activities in the Musandam province. The country has erected a security fence to prevent spillover and weapons smuggling, but it has faced criticism for allegedly turning a blind eye to Iranian attempts to smuggle weapons to the Houthi militia through local connections in the Dhofar region.

Economic and Financial Environment

Oman has made significant efforts to mitigate money laundering risks and deficiencies. The country has implemented measures to combat these crimes, including:

Establishment of an independent body tasked with investigating financial transactions associated with money laundering and terrorist financing

However, concerns persist regarding the vulnerability of the real estate sector to money laundering, prompting calls from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry for increased monitoring and appropriate legislation.

Efforts to assist victims of crime, predominantly of human trafficking, take the form of provision of shelters that provide psychological, legal, and medical facilities. However, the controversial Kafala sponsorship system continues to pose significant risks to migrant workers, and the policy of “Omanization” has pushed many workers into the illicit market.

Press Freedom and Labor Issues

Press freedom has experienced a decline, with prevalent self- censorship and consequences for criticizing ruling authorities. The opaque bureaucratic system limits NGO contributions in areas such as detention and migrant issues.

Journalists and activists have faced arrests and charges for various infractions.
Workers are allowed to unionize, except for household workers and government officials, while strikes are prohibited in the oil and gas sector.