Omán

Oman’s overly broad laws restrict the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. The authorities target peaceful activists, pro-reform bloggers, and government critics using short term arrests and detentions and other forms of harassment. Although the law states that all citizens are equal and bans gender-based discrimination, women face discrimination under the law in matters of divorce, inheritance, child custody and legal guardianship. Oman’s kafala (sponsorship) immigrant labor system and lack of labor law protections leaves the country’s more than 140,000 migrant domestic workers exposed to abuse and exploitation by employers.