Applications of conventions on combating torture, enforced disappearance reviewed

Muscat:  A meeting was held in Muscat on Wednesday by the working group tasked with preparing initial reports on two international agreements namely “The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance” and the “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Said Al Shukaili, Assistant Attorney General, Head of the team.

The meeting discussed the extent to which national legislations are consistent with the provisions of the two agreements. It also looked into mechanisms for applying the two agreements, the roles of state departments and civil society institutions in implementing them and the national mechanisms related to following up the implementation of the above-mentioned agreements.

During the meeting, the authorities concerned showcased their competencies, efforts and future plans within the framework of implementation of the two agreements.

The authorities concerned also discussed the challenges they face and the mechanisms that they consider as appropriate to resolve the challenges, so that they could proceed with the implementation of the provisions of the two agreements in accordance with the highest international standards.

The meeting also outlined the mechanisms related to receiving reports and complaints, either through judicial police officers or through committees specialised in protecting human rights. The relevant authorities were briefed about common experiences, initiatives, educational methods, public awareness and training programmes in the field of human rights.

The meeting stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation and full commitment to the provisions of the two agreements in line with the provisions of the Basic Law of the State. It also underlined the significance of training and education of national cadres on provisions of these two agreements and other human rights agreements to which Oman became party.

The working team tasked with preparing initial reports on the two agreements comprises representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Royal Oman Police, the Public Prosecution Department, Oman Human Rights Commission, Oman Lawyers Association and the “Children First” association.