Drowning incident claims two lives in South Al Batinah
CDAA confirmed that rescue teams responded to the incident. In response. CDAA urges the public to avoid swimming in undesignated areas to prevent future tragedies.
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Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Over 1,000 human rights cases documented in 2024: OHRC
Muscat: Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) received and documented a total of 1,006 cases in 2024, including 47 complaints and 22 reports, while 937 cases were provided with legal support. These cases spanned various civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and developmental rights, as well as the rights of vulnerable groups. This was unveiled during a press conference held today by Oman Human Rights Commission, which highlighted its key efforts in 2024, including monitoring and receiving complaints, responding to regional and international reports, and organizing internal and external activities. Dr. Rashid Hamad Al Balushi, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission, stated that the commission continues its national role in protecting and promoting human rights, guided by its mandate and the principles enshrined in the Basic Law of the State and international conventions to which Oman is a signatory. He affirmed the commission's commitment to enhancing its operational mechanisms and strengthening its role as an independent national institution dedicated to fostering a culture of human rights, citizenship, justice, and human dignity in Oman. Al Balushi explained that the commission's vision is to serve as an effective national platform supporting and protecting human rights across all segments of society and institutions. Its mission is to instill a human rights culture, promote its practice, and safeguard these rights in accordance with local and international laws and principles. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the Royal Oman Police in upholding human rights, particularly in services provided to inmates and detainees. During field visits to the central prison, the commission verified that health, educational, legal, sports, training, recreational, and hobby-related services met appropriate standards. He noted that press freedom is a cornerstone of freedom of expression, highlighting Oman's 18-place rise in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index issued by Reporters Without Borders compared to 2023. The index evaluates 180 countries annually based on five criteria: political context, legal framework, economic environment, sociocultural factors, and safety. Al-Balushi also revealed that the National Human Rights Strategy will be launched on 10 December, encompassing various aspects to strengthen and protect human rights in Oman in line with the Basic Law of the State and international conventions ratified by the Sultanate of Oman's. The commission, he added, provided legal support for 937 cases this year, assisting individuals in resolving their issues through proper legal channels, in accordance with national laws and international agreements. This support covered civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and developmental rights. In conclusion, Dr. Al Balushi stated that the commission responded to several international governmental and non-governmental reports, including Amnesty International's 2022/2023 Annual Report on human rights in Oman, the U.S. State Department's 2023 Annual Report on human rights in Oman, and its 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, which assessed Oman's anti-trafficking efforts in 2022.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Blast derails Jaffar Express bogies in Pakistan's Mastung
QUETTA: A blast on a railway track in Balochistan's Mastung district on Sunday derailed six bogies of the Jaffar Express, though no loss of life was reported, officials said. The explosion occurred near Spezant in Dasht Tehsil, targeting the passenger train and damaging its locomotive along with several coaches, officials confirmed. According to the Levies authorities, an explosive device planted on the track detonated as the train passed, forcing the engine and five bogies off the rails. The sudden jolt brought the Jaffar Express to an abrupt halt. Rescue teams and railway staff quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate passengers and ensure their safety. Security forces sealed off the area and launched a search operation to track down those responsible for the sabotage. Officials said the explosives were locally manufactured, highlighting persistent security concerns in the province. The Jaffar Express, which operates between Quetta and Rawalpindi, has previously been the target of similar attacks. A formal investigation has been initiated, and in the aftermath of the blast, security measures were heightened across the region. Train services from Balochistan to other parts of the country were temporarily suspended. The latest attack comes just three days after the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express narrowly dodged disaster in Sibi, where a bomb planted near the track exploded moments after the passenger train had passed. On July 24, another close shave occurred when a powerful blast tore through the Quetta Sibi rail section, damaging a bogie of the Bolan Mail. Similarly, the July 28 derailment of the Jaffar Express in Sindh's Sukkur was initially blamed on an explosion. However, the Ministry of Railways later attributed it to a technical fault. In June, a remotely detonated explosive device fitted to the tracks caused four bogies of the Jaffar Express to derail in Jacobabad. No injuries were reported in that incident. Back in April, the 3UP train from Karachi to Quetta was halted at Jacobabad railway station due to security threats. Train services between Quetta and the rest of the country were only restored on March 27 after being suspended earlier that month due to the unprecedented hijacking of the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Monday column: The theatre of life in Salalah
I am in Salalah this week and I met someone who was once a very powerful business executive whose word would send a shiver in the corporate culture in Oman. As I cast my thoughts in the past, I remember him as an arrogant man who hurt the feelings of almost everyone who crossed his path, both professionally and socially. Many would say that 'power got into his head' and controlled his way of thinking. He ruined the careers of many people who worked under him in the name of 'professionalism.' He never understood the meaning of that word and he never cared anyway. He trampled on the feelings of his employees all the time. But when I was looking at him while he was walking in the hotel's lobby, no one would guess what he was when he was in the seat of power. Let me correct myself. In this hotel, he was not 'walking' but 'shuffling' his steps like a baby who was learning to walk while two people were holding each of his hands. He did not see me and I never made an attempt to get near him. Two decades ago, when he was in the pinnacle of his career, he put a condition when I asked for an appointment to see him. His secretary told me, apologetically, that he would only see me in his office if I 'wear a tie and a suit'. First, I thought he was joking but the secretary assured me that he was not. I picked up my notebook and left never to return again in his office. Of course, it was tempting for me to go to him in this Salalah hotel and reminded him. But I did not, because after taking a second look at him, he would not remember me. In his condition, he would not remember anyone. But again, there are many such people like him around. I am sure all of us would know one. When power gets into the head, it can become very addictive. Such people hold a mental leash whipping at people under their command without mercy. The only problem is that they do not see what lies on their future path. But one day, it goes 'wham', and the roof of their lives comes down heavily collapsing at them. Again, while still in Salalah, I noted so many other things that I normally don't when I am in Muscat. Not just the beauty around me and the good weather. But the people from different backgrounds of life. They all appear to have the same target and that is to have a good time during the fabulous Khareef season. There is more for them. Bursting the stress of their daily lives, changing their routine or just a curiosity to see something new. I would sometimes watch them and try to figure out what is in their minds as they eat, walk or just simply sit quietly. Every one of them have their own story. The young may well try to figure out how to cope with the professional dictators of their carriers while the old reflect if they had lived their lives differently. But for me, it was about the theater of life. We were born, we lived and now we are somewhere in the playhouse of life. And that is what is all about.
