Defense of human rights defenders and Internet activists urged in Oman

The Gulf Center for Human Rights has issued a statement urging authorities in Oman to release human rights defender Ahmed Al-Bahri and activist Khaled Al-Ramadani; to protect the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression on the Internet in Oman; and to guarantee the safety and freedom of all human rights defenders. The statement reports that the activists have been detained for ‘peaceful and legitimate activities in the field of human rights and their writing on social media networks’. The declaration cites the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998 in support of its statement.