Editing Oman (section)

== Politics ==
{{main|Politics of Oman|Human rights in Oman}}
[[File:Oman-Muscat-16-Sultans-Palace-2.JPG|thumb|The Sultan's [[Al Alam Palace]] in Old Muscat]]

Oman is a [[unitary state]] and an [[absolute monarchy]],<ref name=Oman-abs>{{cite news|title=Q&A: Elections to Oman's Consultative Council|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15288960|work=BBC News|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128112015/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15288960|url-status=live}}</ref> in which all legislative, executive and judiciary power ultimately rests in the hands of the hereditary Sultan. Consequently, [[Freedom House]] has routinely rated the country "Not Free".<ref>{{cite web|title=Oman|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/country/oman|work=Freedom House|access-date=18 January 2013|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423195441/https://freedomhouse.org/country/oman|url-status=live}}</ref>

The sultan is the head of state and directly controls the foreign affairs and defence portfolios.<ref>{{cite web|title=OMAN Majles A'Shura (Consultative Council)|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2378_E.htm|publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union|access-date=19 January 2013|archive-date=27 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227070250/http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2378_E.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He has absolute power and issues [[Rule by decree|laws by decree]].<ref name=fh12>{{cite web|title=Oman|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/oman|work=Freedom in the World 2012|publisher=Freedom House|date=17 January 2012|access-date=28 January 2013|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025073322/http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/oman|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=econwut>{{cite news|title=Waking up too|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21557354|newspaper=The Economist|date=23 June 2012|access-date=19 January 2013|archive-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228215140/http://www.economist.com/node/21557354|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Legal system===
Oman is an [[absolute monarchy]], with the Sultan's word having the force of law. The judiciary branch is subordinate to the Sultan. According to Oman's constitution, [[Sharia law]] is one of the sources of legislation. Sharia court departments within the civil court system are responsible for family-law matters, such as divorce and inheritance.

While ultimate power is concentrated in the Sultan<ref name="rule" /> and Oman does not have an official [[separation of powers]],<ref name=rule>{{cite web|title=Country Report: Oman|url=http://www.bti-project.org/en/reports/country-reports/detail/itc/OMN/|year=2016|publisher=BTI Project|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-date=12 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312141230/https://www.bti-project.org/en/reports/country-reports/detail/itc/OMN/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the late Sultan Qaboos declined to grant the full title Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance to the ministers exercising those responsibilities, preferring to keep them within the Royal Domain. The current Sultan Haitham has granted the ministers responsible of those portfolios the full titles, whilst elevating the defence portfolio to that of a deputy prime minister.<ref name="rule"/> Since 1970 all legislation has been promulgated through royal decrees, including the 1996 Basic Law.<ref name="rule"/> The Sultan appoints the ministers, the judges, and can grant pardons and commute sentences.<ref name="rule"/> The Sultan's authority is inviolable and the Sultan expects total subordination to his will.<ref name="rule"/>

The administration of justice is highly personalized, with limited due process protections, especially in political and security-related cases.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stork|first=Joe|title=Human rights in the smaller Persian Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE|date=19 December 2012|url=http://www.peacebuilding.no/Regions/Middle-East-and-North-Africa/The-Gulf/Publications/Human-rights-in-the-smaller-Gulf-states-Bahrain-Kuwait-Oman-Qatar-and-UAE|work=NOREF|access-date=18 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308194615/http://www.peacebuilding.no/Regions/Middle-East-and-North-Africa/The-Gulf/Publications/Human-rights-in-the-smaller-Gulf-states-Bahrain-Kuwait-Oman-Qatar-and-UAE|archive-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> The [[Basic Statute of Oman|Basic Statute of the State]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Basic Statute of the State |url=http://mola.gov.om/Nen.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723131521/http://mola.gov.om/Nen.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2013 |work=Royal Decree 101/96 |publisher=[[Ministry of Legal Affairs]] |access-date=18 August 2012}}</ref> is supposedly the cornerstone of the Omani legal system and it operates as a constitution for the country. The Basic Statute was issued in 1996 and thus far has been amended only twice: in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment to Some of the Provisions of the Basic Statute of the State |url=http://www.mola.gov.om/maraseem/948/99-2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117012153/http://www.mola.gov.om/maraseem/948/99-2011.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2013 |work=Royal Decree 99/2011 |publisher=Ministry of Legal Affairs}}</ref> in response to [[2011 Omani protests|protests]]; and in 2021, to create the position of [[Crown Prince of Oman]].

Though Oman's legal code theoretically protects civil liberties and personal freedoms, both are regularly ignored by the regime.<ref name="rule"/> Women and children face legal discrimination in many areas.<ref name="rule"/> Women are excluded from certain state benefits, such as housing loans, and are refused equal rights under the personal status law.<ref name="rule"/> Women also experience restrictions on their self-determination in respect to health and reproductive rights.<ref name="rule"/>

The Omani legislature is the bicameral [[Council of Oman]], consisting of an upper chamber, the [[Council of State (Oman)|Council of State]] (Majlis ad-Dawlah) and a lower chamber, the [[Consultative Assembly (Oman)|Consultative Assembly]] (Majlis al-Shura).<ref name=arparl/> Political parties are banned, as are any affiliations based on religion.<ref name=econwut/> The upper chamber has 71 members, appointed by the Sultan from among prominent Omanis; it has only advisory powers.<ref name=cialegbr>{{cite web|title=Legislative Branch|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2101.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003906/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2101.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2007|work=The World Factbook|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> The 84 members of the Consultative Assembly are elected by universal suffrage to serve four-year terms.<ref name=cialegbr/> The members are appointed for three-year terms, which may be renewed once.<ref name=arparl>{{cite web|title=Country Profiles (Legislature) – Oman|url=http://www.arabparliaments.org/countries/country.aspx?cid=13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605011017/http://www.arabparliaments.org/countries/country.aspx?cid=13|archive-date=5 June 2012|publisher=Arab Parliaments}}</ref> The last elections were held on [[2023 Omani general election|29 October 2023]], and the next is due in October 2027. Oman's national anthem, ''[[As-Salam as-Sultani]]'' is dedicated to former Sultan Qaboos.

===Foreign policy===
{{main|Foreign relations of Oman}}
[[File:Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman for a bilateral meeting in 10 Downing Street, London, United Kingdom 6 August 2024 - 2.jpg|thumb|Sultan [[Haitham bin Tariq]] with British Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]], August 2024]]
Since 1970, Oman has pursued a moderate foreign policy, and has expanded its diplomatic relations dramatically. Oman is among the very few Arab countries that have maintained friendly ties with [[Iran]].<ref name="pop">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/oman/|title=Oman|publisher=CIA – The World Factbook|access-date=29 October 2011|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313050143/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/oman/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB2501/index1.html |title=Oman: A Unique Foreign Policy |publisher=RAND |access-date=29 October 2011 |year=1995 |last1=Kechichian |first1=Joseph A. |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002214/https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB2501/index1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah]] is the Sultanate's Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs.

Oman allowed the British [[Royal Navy]] and [[Indian Navy]] access to the port facilities of [[Al Duqm Port & Drydock]].<ref name="ie">{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-gets-access-to-strategic-oman-port-for-military-use-chabahar-gwadar-in-sight-5061573/ |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |title=India gets access to strategic Oman port Duqm for military use, Chabahar-Gwadar in sight |first=Shubhajit |last=Roy |date=13 February 2018 |access-date=24 March 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410214859/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-gets-access-to-strategic-oman-port-for-military-use-chabahar-gwadar-in-sight-5061573/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{main|Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces}}
[[File:Portsmouth korvet Al-Shamikh Oman 18-10-2011 15-15-51.png|thumb|[[Royal Navy of Oman]] [[Khareef-class corvette]], Al-Shamikh]]
[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|SIPRI]]'s estimation of Oman's military and security expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 2020 was 11 percent, making it the world's highest rate in that year, higher than [[Saudi Arabia]] (8.4 percent).<ref>[https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex According to SIPRI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502184705/https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex |date=2 May 2019 }} | [https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/SIPRI-Milex-data-1949-2020_0.xlsx Excel Spreadsheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071552/https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/SIPRI-Milex-data-1949-2020_0.xlsx |date=24 February 2022 }}</ref> Oman's on-average military spending as a percentage of GDP between 2016 and 2018 was around 10 percent, while the world's average during the same period was 2.2 percent.<ref name=WBMS>Oman's Military Expenditures. [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W Oman's military expenditures WB] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118010201/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=OM-1W |date=18 January 2023 }} The World Bank. Retrieved 2019.</ref>

Oman's military manpower totalled 44,100 in 2006, including 25,000 men in the army, 4,200 sailors in the navy, and an air force with 4,100 personnel. The [[Royal Household]] maintained 5,000 Guards, 1,000 in Special Forces, 150 sailors in the Royal Yacht fleet, and 250 pilots and ground personnel in the Royal Flight squadrons. Oman also maintains a modestly sized paramilitary force of 4,400 men.<ref name=cordesman>{{cite web|title=The Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric War|url=http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/060728_gulf_oman.pdf|publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies|author1=Anthony H. Cordesman|author2=Khalid R. Al-Rodhan|date=28 June 2006|access-date=19 January 2013|archive-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517100443/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/060728_gulf_oman.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Royal Army of Oman]] had 25,000 active personnel in 2006, plus a small contingent of Royal Household troops. Despite a comparative large military spending, it has been relatively slow to modernise its forces. Oman has a relatively limited number of tanks, including 6 [[M60A1]], 73 [[M60A3]] and 38 [[Challenger 2]] main battle tanks, as well as 37 aging [[FV101 Scorpion|Scorpion]] light tanks.<ref name=cordesman/>

The [[Royal Air Force of Oman]] has approximately 4,100 men, with 36 combat aircraft and no armed helicopters. Combat aircraft include 20 aging [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguars]], 12 [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawk]] Mk 203s, 4 Hawk Mk 103s and 12 [[PC-9]] turboprop trainers with a limited combat capability. It has one squadron of 12 [[F-16]]C/D aircraft. Oman also has 4 [[FFA AS-202 Bravo|A202-18 Bravos]] and 8 [[PAC MFI-17 Mushshak|MFI-17B Mushshaqs]].<ref name=cordesman/>

The [[Royal Navy of Oman]] had 4,200 men in 2000, and is headquartered at [[Seeb]]. It has bases at Ahwi, Ghanam Island, [[Mussandam]] and [[Salalah]]. In 2006, Oman had ten surface combat vessels. These included two 1,450-ton [[Qahir-class corvette|''Qahir'' class]] [[corvette]]s, and eight ocean-going [[patrol boat]]s. The Omani Navy had one 2,500-ton [[Nasr al Bahr (L2)|''Nasr al Bahr'' class]] LSL (240 troops, 7 tanks) with a helicopter deck. Oman also had at least four [[landing craft]].<ref name=cordesman/> Oman ordered three [[Khareef-class corvette|''Khareef'' class]] corvettes from the [[VT Group]] for £400&nbsp;million in 2007. They were built at [[Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Testing times for corvette|url=http://www.maritimephotographic.co.uk/blog/testing-times-for-corvette/|publisher=Maritime Photographic|date=15 March 2012|access-date=21 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013091037/http://www.maritimephotographic.co.uk/blog/testing-times-for-corvette/|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010 Oman spent US$4.074&nbsp;billion on military expenditures, 8.5% [[List of countries by military expenditure share of GDP|of the gross domestic product]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://milexdata.sipri.org |title=The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=29 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072123/http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |archive-date=28 March 2010 }}</ref> The sultanate has a long history of association with the British military and defence industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=A balancing act|url=http://www.economist.com/node/14442346?zid=308&ah=e21d923f9b263c5548d5615da3d30f4d|newspaper=The Economist|date=15 September 2009|access-date=19 January 2013|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228184039/http://www.economist.com/node/14442346?zid=308&ah=e21d923f9b263c5548d5615da3d30f4d|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[SIPRI]], Oman was the 23rd largest arms importer from 2012 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/toplist.php|title=TOP LIST TIV TABLES|work=SIPRI|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-date=14 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214003447/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/toplist.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Human rights===
{{Main|Human rights in Oman}}
{{See also|LGBT rights in Oman}}
[[File:Portrait Of Dr. Talib Al Mamari.jpg|thumb|[[Talib Al Mamari]], a former member of the [[Consultative Assembly (Oman)|Consultative Assembly of Oman]], who was arrested in 2013 after participating in a peaceful protest as a mediator. The [[Working Group on Arbitrary Detention|UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention]] (WGAD) deemed his detention arbitrary and a violation of his right to freedom of expression.]]
Torture methods in use in Oman include [[mock execution]], beating, [[hooding]], solitary confinement, subjection to extremes of temperature and to constant noise, abuse and humiliation.<ref name="torture">{{cite web|url = http://www.gc4hr.org/report/view/20|title = Torture in Oman|year = 2014|publisher = Gulf Center for Human Rights|access-date = 29 December 2014|archive-date = 7 September 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190907090808/https://www.gc4hr.org/report/view/20|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=prev>{{cite web|url=http://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/579|title=Torture in Oman|quote=The practice of torture is widespread in Oman state penal institutions and has become the state's knee jerk reaction to independent political expression, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) says in a report published today|year=2014|publisher=Gulf Center for Human Rights|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724185106/https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/579|url-status=live}}</ref> There have been numerous reports of torture and other inhumane forms of punishment perpetrated by Omani security forces on protesters and detainees.<ref name=bti>{{cite web|url=http://www.bti-project.org/reports/country-reports/mena/omn/index.nc|title=BTI 2014 – Oman Country Report|year=2014|publisher=BTI Project|access-date=29 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228234844/http://www.bti-project.org/reports/country-reports/mena/omn/index.nc|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref> Several prisoners detained in 2012 complained of sleep deprivation, extreme temperatures and solitary confinement.<ref name="report"/> [[LGBT rights in Oman|Homosexuality]] is criminalised within Oman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_SSHR_2014_Eng.pdf|title=State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults|access-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020202330/http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_SSHR_2014_Eng.pdf|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Mohammed Al-fazari.jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Mohammed Al-Fazari]], an exiled Omani writer and journalist now living in the UK, is an author whose [[Book censorship|books are banned]] in Oman. He is also the founder and EIC of [[Muwatin Media Network|Muwatin]].<ref name="omanhrw">{{cite book |title=Oman: Events of 2018 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/oman |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=17 December 2018 |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118171940/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/oman |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

The Omani government decides who can or cannot be a journalist and this permission can be withdrawn at any time.<ref name=qaboos>{{cite web|author=Whitaker, Brian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/04/oman-sultan-qaboos-despot|title=Oman's Sultan Qaboos: a classy despot|year=2011|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=29 December 2014|author-link=Brian Whitaker|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118171943/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/04/oman-sultan-qaboos-despot|url-status=live}}</ref> Censorship and [[self-censorship]] are a constant factor.<ref name="qaboos"/> Omanis have limited access to political information through the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bti-project.org/fileadmin/files/BTI/Downloads/Reports/2016/pdf/BTI_2016_Oman.pdf|title=Country Report: Oman|year=2016|publisher=BTI Project|page=12|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808043953/https://www.bti-project.org/fileadmin/files/BTI/Downloads/Reports/2016/pdf/BTI_2016_Oman.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Access to news and information can be problematic: journalists have to be content with news compiled by the official news agency on some issues.<ref name="qaboos"/> Through a decree by the Sultan, the government has now extended its control over the media to blogs and other websites.<ref name="qaboos"/> Omanis cannot hold a public meeting without the government's approval.<ref name="qaboos"/> Omanis who want to set up a non-governmental organisation of any kind need a licence.<ref name="qaboos"/> The Omani government does not permit the formation of independent [[civil society]] associations.<ref name="bti"/> [[Human Rights Watch]] issued in 2016, that an Omani court sentenced three journalists to prison and ordered the permanent closure of their newspaper, over an article that alleged corruption in the judiciary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/03/oman-journalists-sentenced-over-articles-alleging-corruption|title=Oman: Journalists Sentenced Over Articles Alleging Corruption|date=3 October 2016|publisher=Human Rights Watch|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118171943/https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/03/oman-journalists-sentenced-over-articles-alleging-corruption|url-status=live}}</ref>

Omani law prohibits criticism of the Sultan and government in any form or medium.<ref name="qaboos"/> Oman's police do not need [[search warrants]] to enter people's homes.<ref name="qaboos"/> The law does not provide citizens with the right to change their government.<ref name="qaboos"/> The Sultan retains ultimate authority on all foreign and domestic issues.<ref name="qaboos"/> Government officials are not subject to financial disclosure laws.<ref name="qaboos"/> Criticism of government figures and politically objectionable views have been suppressed.<ref name="qaboos"/> Publication of books is limited and the government restricts their importation and distribution, as with other media products.<ref name="qaboos"/>

Until 2023, Omani citizens needed government permission to marry foreigners.<ref name=report>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/nea/220371.htm|title=2013 Human Rights Reports: Oman|year=2014|publisher=[[US Department of State]]|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819102135/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/nea/220371.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2023, the law was changed by a royal decree, allowing Omani citizens to marry foreigners without government permission.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrington |first=Lisa |date=April 19, 2023 |title=Oman liberalises foreign marriage law in rare social reform |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oman-liberalises-foreign-marriage-law-rare-social-reform-2023-04-19/#:~:text=DUBAI%2C%20April%2019%20(Reuters),in%20the%20conservative%20Gulf%20country. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204021152/http://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oman-liberalises-foreign-marriage-law-rare-social-reform-2023-04-19/ |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] |pages=1}}</ref> According to HRW, women in Oman face discrimination.<ref name="omanhrw"/>

The plight of [[domestic worker]]s in Oman is a taboo subject.<ref>{{cite web|author=Susan Al Shahri|url=http://mideastposts.com/showcase/a-taboo-subject-the-desperate-plight-of-domestic-workers-in-oman/|title=A Taboo Subject: The Desperate Plight of Domestic Workers in Oman|year=2012|publisher=Mideast Posts|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228173922/http://mideastposts.com/showcase/a-taboo-subject-the-desperate-plight-of-domestic-workers-in-oman/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=taboo>{{cite web|author=Susan Mubarak|url=http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Stories-Files/Things-We-Don-t-Talk-About|title=Things We Don't Talk About|year=2012|work=[[Muscat Daily]]|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228173933/http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Stories-Files/Things-We-Don-t-Talk-About|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, the [[Philippines]] government determined that out of all the countries in the Middle East, only Oman and Israel qualify as safe for Filipino migrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migrant-rights.org/research/is-any-country-in-the-middle-east-safe-for-migrant-workers/|title=Is Any Country in The Middle East Safe for Migrant Workers?|year=2011|publisher=migrantrights.org|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=30 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230223407/http://www.migrant-rights.org/research/is-any-country-in-the-middle-east-safe-for-migrant-workers/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=taboo/> Migrant workers remained insufficiently protected against exploitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oman Archives |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/oman/report-oman/ |access-date=15 April 2022 |publisher=Amnesty International |language=en |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415054953/https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/oman/report-oman/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
[[File:Governorates-Map-of-Oman.png|thumb|Governorates and maritime features of Oman]]
{{main|Regions and governorates of Oman}}

The Sultanate is administratively divided into eleven governorates. Governorates are, in turn, divided into 60 [[wilayat]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Oman|url=http://www.ncsi.gov.om/oman.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731182110/http://www.ncsi.gov.om/oman.aspx|archive-date=31 July 2013|publisher=National Center for Statistics & Information|access-date=13 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Governorates of Sultanate Of Oman |url=http://www.omanet.om/english/regions/oman.asp?cat=reg |publisher=Ministry of Information, Sultanate of Oman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208143606/http://www.omanet.om/english/regions/oman.asp?cat=reg |archive-date=8 December 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate|Ad Dakhiliyah]]
* [[Ad Dhahirah Governorate|Ad Dhahirah]]
* [[Al Batinah North Governorate|Al Batinah North]]
* [[Al Batinah South Governorate|Al Batinah South]]
* [[Al Buraimi Governorate|Al Buraimi]]
* [[Al Wusta Governorate (Oman)|Al Wusta]]
* [[Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate|Ash Sharqiyah North]]
* [[Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate|Ash Sharqiyah South]]
* [[Dhofar Governorate|Dhofar]]
* [[Muscat Governorate|Muscat]]
* [[Musandam Governorate|Musandam]]