NATIONAL SECURITY and COURTS

In December 1996, the Basic Statute of the State established Oman’s Defence Council by Royal Decree. The Council is chaired by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos (who is Supreme Commander of the Sultan’s Armed Forces and of the Royal Oman Police), and its members include the Minister of Diwan of Royal Court, the Inspector-General of Police and Customs, the Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Guard, and the Head of Internal Security. 

The Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF)

The modernisation and development of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) reflects the strategic and military vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Great importance is attached to ensuring that the armed forces are up to date and at a high standard of combat capability. 

The Royal Army of Oman (RAO)

The Royal Army of Oman (RAO) is today thoroughly prepared in the event of combat, with personnel trained in the latest techniques in the military sciences, improved weaponry and equipment and a solid support system.

All the RAO’s units and formations have been updated.  Following the introduction of troop transport and armoured personnel carriers, the infantry brigades are now a modern force by any international standards. In April 2003 the Muscat Regiment became a motorised infantry regiment.  The Sultan’s Armoured Regiment is a high-performance, integrated unit that plays a major role in manoeuvres, while the Armoured School trains personnel in the use of the latest equipment and main combat tank technology.  The Armoured Corps is the heir to the traditional cavalry, and its modern-day horsemen can be seen performing at festivals, National Day celebrations and military events.

The Sultan of Oman’s Artillery, one of the main support services, is equipped with up-to-date weaponry, and the Artillery School provides training in a range of military skills, particularly fire direction techniques and modern-day tactics.

The Firqat Forces, a major formation of the RAO, has been extensively modernised in areas such as combat capability, installations, services and communications. Other RAO formations, including the Signals, Engineers, Transport, Supply Services, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Parachute Regiment, have also upgraded their facilities, weapons and vehicles.

The newest technology has been introduced into all the RAO’s workshops, detachments and units, accompanied by qualified national technical personnel, in order to maintain equipment in a state of combat readiness.

The Medical Services section possesses specialist testing, diagnostic and analytical equipment and surgical operation facilities to ensure that the men of the SAF and their families are afforded high quality health services administered by experienced medical staff.  In addition, this section provides medical support services and evacuation operations on the battlefield.  In March 2003, a medical laboratory and medical equipment workshop were opened in order to provide testing and maintenance services previously available only abroad.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO)

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) is today fully capable of protecting the Sultanate’s skies and keeping pace with the latest developments.  Its integrated air defence system is strengthened by modern fighter, transport and pilot training aircraft, helicopters, anti-aircraft missile batteries and advanced radar systems, as well as air bases equipped with warning and communications systems, able to function in a wide range of conditions. 

An agreement was signed in January 2003 for the construction of Phase One of the Al Musana’ah Air Base on the Batinah coast. This new base is destined to play a vital role in view of its strategic location.  Last year the Sultanate signed an agreement to supply RAFO with a number of Super Lynx helicopters. The Air Force will also be supplied with F16 fighters, which will be deployed alongside its advanced Jaguar and Hawk fighters.  Facilities are currently being installed to handle the F16s and Super Lynxes at the RAFO air bases.  The Royal Air Force of Oman is continuing to upgrade its aircraft and equipment and operates a series of training programmes to qualify its personnel in the latest methods.

The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO)

The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) grew out of Oman’s long seafaring history, during which Omani, Arab and Islamic culture and civilisation crossed the oceans to distant lands.  Today, its duty is to protect the Sultanate’s sovereignty over its territorial waters, defend strategic and economic interests and safeguard the freedom of international shipping.

The RNO’s security duties are carried out by its modern naval fleet, which contains ships such as corvettes, missile boats and fast gun boats designed to perform a range of functions, as well as administration and support services.  The fleet is reinforced by several naval bases providing secure harbours for ships and their crews and extensive operational, logistics, engineering, administrative, social and medical services, rendered by nationals qualified in the latest marine and military sciences and conversant with warship guidance systems and high technology equipment.

Over the years the RNO has gained worldwide acclaim for its measures to guarantee the safety of international shipping through Omani waters and the Straits of Hormuz, the vital artery for the export of oil to the outside world. The RNO is also respected in naval circles around the world for its commitment to co-operation with other navies in such fields as training, joint exercises, international events organised by friendly states and visits to foreign ports.

The RNOV Shabab Oman, which represents Oman at international naval events and sailing regattas, is a means of promoting close ties and mutual understanding between young people all over the world.

The RNO issues charts of Omani waters produced by the RNO’s National Hydrographic Survey Office.  These conform to the international specifications laid down by the International Hydrographic Organisation and are of vital importance to the military and civil shipping that uses Omani waters.

The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO)

His Majesty attaches the same importance to the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) as to the SAF’s other services.  The RGO, a major component of Oman’s modern military system with a high level of combat capability, consists of infantry, armoured vehicles and artillery, reinforced by modern systems and equipment and by educational, technical and administrative units.

The RGO aims constantly to upgrade its capabilities as a well equipped fighting force with troops familiar with modern weapons technology.  RGO personnel are trained in all areas including new technological developments through a series of practical courses.

The RGO Technical College provides the RGO and other state authorities with technical personnel trained to international standards. The College has been granted a Certificate of Excellence by the British Technical Education Council, and is the only centre in the Middle East to have received this honour. The Centre for Higher Studies was opened recently at the College to offer Higher National Diploma (HND) courses. The diploma is almost equivalent to university degree standard.  The first courses to be offered are in general engineering and computers, and other disciplines will follow.

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra (ROSO) and the RGO bands are comprised of talented, well-trained young musicians, and the musical instrument repair and metal plating workshop is one of the most advanced in the region.

The Red Helmets and the free-fall parachute teams stage magnificent displays at numerous events in addition to carrying out their regular duties.

Engineering Services

The Ministry of Defence’s Engineering Services section has the primary role of preparing blueprints for the Ministry’s construction projects and overseeing their implementation.  In addition, it provides SAF units with engineering support and water, power and sewerage.  The specifications for all the projects managed by Engineering Services, both capital construction and maintenance, are laid down by the Ministry.  Services provided include field, electrical and mechanical maintenance, the upkeep of the roads on the SAF’s camps and bases, and support during military exercises.  A special maintenance team is responsible for maintaining the firing ranges, aircraft landing strips and military aerodromes.

The new Engineering Services HQ, which opened at Muaskar al Murtafa’a (near Seeb) in April 2003, aims to boost the Services’ performance and productivity.  Engineering Services is currently overseeing a number of SAF projects, including the al Musana’ah Air Base and the Armed Forces Naval Club in Athaibah, which is due to open soon after completion of the first phase. The second phase will be put out to tender in the near future. Other projects include the HQ camp Friday Mosque, which is also due to be put out to tender. Work is currently in progress on Phase Three of the Bait al Falaj camp development project, which provides for the construction of facilities and modern buildings in place of old ones and the extension of several existing structures. There are similar plans to modernise and develop Umm al Ghawarif camp; repair work has already been completed on the buildings damaged during the 2002 floods in Salalah.

National Survey Authority 

The National Survey Authority, founded in 1984, is the central authority responsible for producing military and civil maps and aerial photographs of the Sultanate’s governorates, regions and wilayats.  It sets standards for topographical surveys, manages the national geographical archives and provides aviation charts and geographical information. Its qualified technical staff is supported by extensive advanced technology including precision satellite survey systems, graphics analysis equipment and printing presses.

Military Social Services

Social welfare is provided by the Directorate of Military Social Services which was set up in 1972.  Since then the Directorate has undergone considerable expansion in every area of social care.  This care is provided to Defence Ministry, SAF and RGO personnel and their families, former soldiers with special needs, families of soldiers who are injured, killed in action or deceased, and retired soldiers, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund.

In January 2002 His Majesty the Sultan issued a decree on the pensions and end-of-service benefit regulations for Defence Ministry and SAF personnel.  The decree regulates the composition of the Defence Ministry’s Pension Fund assets, including yields on its investments.  These include deposits, shares, deeds and property held within the Sultanate as well as joint investment units. 

The SAF Housing Loans Fund through granting the maximum possible number of loans to officers and men.  It recognises that secure housing ensures social and psychological stability, creating a positive effect on job performance and morale. Where applicable, the Directorate also provides building land in co-operation with the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water.

The Directorate of Military Social Services represents the Sultanate at the Arab Union for War Veterans and War Victims and has been a permanent member of the Union since 1993.

Morale Guidance

Since it was established in 1974, SAF Staff Headquarters' Morale Guidance Department  promotes military, social and cultural events, publishes the military cultural magazine Jund Oman (Soldiers of Oman) and the magazine’s monthly news supplement and annual omnibus edition.  It also presents armed forces’ radio and TV programmes and documentary films in collaboration with the Ministry of Information.

The Morale Guidance Department commemorates religious occasions, holds lectures on social and cultural topics and organises courses on war media and psychological warfare.  In addition, it issues information booklets and arranges visits to sick and injured military men in conjunction with Military Social Services. 

The Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Museum

The Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Museum was established in Bait al Falaj Fort as a showcase for the development of Oman's armed forces and military history. The museum contains models, pictures and documents illustrating historic events, the role of the forces and the weaponry used over the ages.

SAF colleges and schools

The SAF operates a series of training plans.  Accordingly, a wide range of educational institutions can be found in the armed forces, ranging from academic, technological and technical military colleges to specialist schools. They include the Command and Staff College, the Sultan Qaboos Military College, the Sultan Qaboos Air Academy, the Air Force Technical College, the Oman Aircraft Control College, the Navy Training Centre, the Engineering Services Training Centre, the RGO Technical College Centre for Higher Studies, the Officer Training School and the Junior Air Staff School, as well as several other specialist schools.

As one of several recent measures to modernise the specialist schools, the Supply and Administration School was opened in December 2002. This school follows modern training methods and has advanced equipment and a full range of facilities.

Regular mobilisation and practical exercises are held to improve the forces’ combat capability and test their ability to handle the latest weapons.  They are based on modern battle management techniques, which are applied at all combat, support and administrative levels.  Omani troops have shown a high standard of proficiency and an ability to handle advanced weapons and technology in joint exercises with AGCC and friendly states.

 Other Duties

The SAF’s duties include road-building, transporting essential goods to remote areas, operating flying doctor services, organising search and rescue operations after natural disasters, rescuing fishermen at sea, assisting ships in distress and arresting illegal immigrants. These operations are co-ordinated with other state authorities. The SAF also arranges publicity campaigns and holds military training courses for secondary school students in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, while the SAF Hospital offers its medical services to emergency cases such as traffic accident casualties.

The SAF plays its part in helping to conserve the Omani environment and prevent pollution by hosting conferences, presenting studies and holding seminars and lectures. It supplies Muscat Municipality with treated water for use in the Governorate of Muscat’s parks and gardens and the verges alongside main roads.

Sports teams and military bands

Sports are considered an essential part of Oman's military training, and the SAF has a range of sports programmes and facilities. Annual competitions are held in football, volleyball, hockey, swimming, athletics, long-distance running and shooting.  SAF sports teams, including the national shooting team, the SAF shooting team and the national free-fall parachute team, have represented the Sultanate at numerous events at home and abroad, achieving excellent results.  The free-fall parachute team, the military bands and the Sail Training Ship  RNOV Shabab Oman played a major part in the success of the 2003 Muscat Festival as well as that of other domestic and international events.

ROYAL OMAN  POLICE

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) aims to continually upgrade every aspect of its security operations and other services throughout Oman by modernizing equipment as well as by the creation of new units to service the public.

Civil Status Project

In 2003 the Directorate-General of Civil Status was set up under Article 2 of the Civil Status Law and was assigned the following functions:

• Recording nationals’ civil status data in the Civil Register and issuing ID cards and certificates on their status;
• Recording births and deaths of foreigners resident in the Sultanate, as well as their marriages and divorces if one of the parties involves is Omani, and issuing residence cards and certificates dealing with status-related events;
• Checking and verifying the particulars contained in applications for the issue of marriage permits entitling Omanis to marry foreigners and for the dissolution of those marriages;
• Checking and verifying the particulars submitted by applicants for recognition or restitution of Omani nationality, as well as particulars submitted by those applying to become naturalized Omanis;
• Keeping the registers required for recording civil status data and changes in civil status.

An agreement to implement the Civil Status Project has been signed with an international company and under the terms of the contract it will set up and install an integrated computer system which will cover all the Sultanate’s governorates and regions via twelve Civil Status Centres.

The project will include the “smart” Omani ID card scheme which is expected to start being issued in November 2003.  These cards will include a range of data on the bearer.  It will be a multi-purpose card that can be used as proof of identity, as an election card, as a driver’s licence and as an ATM card etc.

It is planned to begin issuing “smart” residence cards to newly-arrived expatriates from February 2004. 

First Aid Unit Project

This Project is now in its final stages.  Several well-equipped ambulances have been purchased and Omani doctors and nurses have been sent on specialist courses at the Ronald Reagan Emergency Medical Institute in the United States of America so that they can form the nucleus of the First Aid Unit’s medical team.  A large number of police personnel have also been recruited and are currently on courses at an institute which has been set up specifically for that purpose to train them to become specialist first aid workers at the unit.

Under Phase One of the plan, this Unit will go into operation in the near future and initially will be responsible for covering traffic accident victims on the roads of the Governorate of Muscat.

Other Units

• The Mounted Police unit reaches places inaccessible to other forms of transport.  Its stables contain both thoroughbred horses and Omani camels. The unit has a training school, a riding school, a polo ground, an exercise ground for horses and a race track, as well as essential services, residential accommodation, offices and a veterinary clinic for its horses. The police dog section carries out guard, inspection and tracking duties and performs at pageants and festivals.
• The Police Coastguard Unit at Port Sultan Qaboos in Mutrah guards the Sultanate’s 1,700 km. coastline. ROP boats patrol the seas to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling and to provide assistance to sailors, particularly in difficult weather. The unit’s Sea Rescue Team is equipped to respond promptly to calls for assistance.

·         The Police Aviation Directorate transports medical and relief teams and operates a flying doctor service, as well as dealing with emergency situations during natural disasters providing aid and rescue services for those in difficulty at sea, in the mountains or in flooded riverbeds (wadis). It uses the latest technology in its air rescue operations and has a number of helicopters and passenger transport aircraft.  Advanced BA139 helicopters are employed to carry out rescue and support duties and provide social, humanitarian and security services.

Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences

The Royal Oman Police Academy, Nizwa (ROPAN) was established in 1980 to train both male and female ROP personnel to work effectively in the field.  This facility was renamed in 2002 as the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences after upgrading its academic and practical training. Courses at the Academy last for four years and students are now awarded BA degrees in law and police sciences, and graduate as Second Lieutenants.

The courts

The Judicial Authority Law, which came into force on lst June 2001, has established an integrated judicial system consisting of the Supreme Court in Muscat, six Courts of Appeal in (Muscat, Sohar, Nizwa, Salalah, Ibra and Ibri) and forty Courts of First Instance in various wilayats. Each court consists of a president and an appropriate number of members and operates on the circuit system.  With the exception of cases involving administrative disputes, these courts are responsible for ruling on civil and commercial cases and requests for arbitration as well as on personal status actions, labour, tax and rent cases and others.  The six Courts of Appeal were created to hear appeals on rulings issued by the Courts of First Instance. 

The Supreme Court is at the top of the judicial pyramid and is the highest court in the land. It oversees the proper application and interpretation of the law and is not a third level of the judicial system. Its function is limited to monitoring judges in their application and interpretation of the law and it does not intervene in their assessments of the facts. Circuits are formed from it as and when required to rule on appeals referred to it. The circuit is headed by the President of the Court or one of his deputies, or the oldest­

76 serving judge of the Court. Apart from administrative disputes, the Court has the jurisdiction to rule on all disputes, whatever their nature, whether they are in the civil, commercial, personal status or other categories The

Supreme Court is based in Muscat.

In addition, the Administrative Court became operational in April 2001. This court is designed to provide a forum for a review of decisions made by Government bodies. The Court (which comprises First Instance and Appeal circuits) has the power to reverse decisions made by Government bodies and it can also award compensation.

The Judicial Authority Law created the above courts to replace the previous Sharia, Commercial and Criminal courts.  Their records have been duly transferred to the appropriate departments. In addition, the Supreme Judicial Council was established and the Criminal Procedures Law promulgated, both under Royal Decree.  A further decree defines the Ministry of Justice’s various powers and responsibilities in order to uphold the standards of judicial practice.

The Civil and Commercial Procedures Law was promulgated under Royal Decree No.29/2002 to regulate the operations of the courts, with the exception of the criminal circuits, whose operations are regulated under the Criminal Procedures Law.  The Notary Public Law was promulgated under Royal Decree No.40/2003, and new draft lawyers’ and civil transactions laws are currently at the preparation stage.

Public Prosecutor's Office

  In 1999 a Royal Decree was issued establishing an independent prosecution service headed by a public Prosecutor who was appointed on 2 June 2001.This has replaced the Directorate-General of Criminal Public Prosecutions which was previously part of the Royal Oman Police. Appointment to positions in the Public Prosecutor's Office shall be by Royal Decree on the basis of nominations submitted by Administrative Affairs Council, which is responsible to the judicial authority. The Public Prosecutor is responsible for reviewing criminal cases to be put before the Criminal Division of the Court.  

Training

Training course are held at the Sharia and Law College in Muscat,  as well as in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Programmes range from short visits to familiarise trainees with other systems to extended courses, university scholarships and post-graduate studies up to the PhD level.

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