Statement by the Omani Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (OCHRD) On the Summoning and Detention of Manal Hamza

The Omani Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (OCHRD) strongly condemns the summoning and detention of Omani citizen Manal Hamza by the Internal Security Service (ISS) since 5 August 2025, following her peaceful solo protest in front of the flagpole in the Al-Khuwair district of Muscat Governorate, during which she held a sign that read:

“I am not a job seeker — I am unemployed.”

Manal had previously left Oman for Canada earlier this year to seek asylum but later returned voluntarily to Oman on 10 June 2025. Upon her return, she was neither intercepted nor arrested by the authorities.

OCHRD denounces this latest act of arbitrary detention and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Manal Hamza. The OCHRD also urges the Omani authorities to respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression and to take all necessary legal measures to ensure its protection in line with international human rights standards.