Talib Al Mamari

Overview

Talib Al Mamari is an Omani activist, academic, former parliamentarian, and human rights defender. He served in the Omani Consultative Assembly from 2011 until his arrest in 2013 after participating in a peaceful demonstration against pollution from petrochemical industries in his native constituency of Liwa.

Talib Al Mamari
طالب المعمري
Talib in 2025
Member of the Consultative Assembly Of Oman
In office
2011–2013
Preceded bySaleh bin Ibrahim bin Ali Al Balushi
Succeeded byShammis bin Khalid bin Ahmed Al Raisi[1]
ConstituencyLiwa
Personal details
BornTalib Ahmad Muhammad Al Mamari
(1972-05-24) 24 May 1972 (age 54)
Liwa, Sultanate Of Oman
EducationCairo University
Awards
Alkarama Award For Human Rights Defenders

Talib Al Mamari (Arabic: طالب المعمري, romanized: Ṭālib al-Maʻammarī; born 24 May 1972) is an Omani activist, academic, former parliamentarian, and human rights defender. He served in the Omani Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura) from 2011 until his arrest in 2013 after participating in a peaceful demonstration against pollution from petrochemical industries in his native constituency of Liwa.

Born in the Wilayah (Province) of Liwa in Oman's Al Batinah North Governorate, Al Mamari worked as an Arabic language teacher before serving as head of the Arabic Language Department at Sohar University for 12 years. Following parliamentary reform in Oman that took place in 2011, he was elected to the Omani Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura), the lower house of the Council Of Oman, where he represented the Wilayah of Liwa.

Al Mamari received widespread attention in 2013–2014 when he was arrested in August 2013 for participating in an environmental protest. His detention prompted statements from several human rights organisations and governments calling for his release. In 2014, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued Opinion No. 53/2014 (Al Mamari v. Oman), concluding that his detention was arbitrary and that his right to freedom of expression had been violated. He was convicted of "harming the State's prestige", "obstructing traffic", and "disturbing public order", and was sentenced for three years before being granted a royal pardon.

Early life

Talib Ahmad Muhammad Al Mamari was born on 24 May 1972 in the Wilayah (Province) of Liwa, in Oman's Al Batinah North Governorate. After obtaining a doctorate from Cairo University, Al Mamari pursued an academic career as a lecturer and Arabic language teacher before later serving as head of the Arabic Language Department at Sohar University for 12 years.[2][3]

Al Mamari held several professional and municipal positions and served in civil society organizations such as the Omani Society for Writers and Authors, the Scientific Research Council, the Al-Nour Association for the Blind, and the Liwa Municipal Committee from 2000 to 2003.[4]

During the 2011 Omani protests, Al Mamari was detained in Sohar but was released without conviction.[5]

Member of the Majilis al-Shura (2011-2013)

Al Mamari was elected as a member of the Consultative Assembly following the 2011 parliamentary reforms in Oman, introduced by Sultan Qaboos through a royal decree that expanded the legislative powers of the Assembly. A vocal advocate against environmental damage and pollution in Liwa, he also criticised the government's commitment to the rule of law and its system of governance.[6]

Al Mamari emerged as one of the Assembly's most outspoken members. He became known for scrutinizing government ministers, criticizing government policies, and advocating on behalf of his constituents in Liwa, particularly those affected by industrial pollution. His parliamentary interventions, which were broadcast on national television and widely shared on social media, significantly increased his public profile.[7]

In May 2012, after Al Mamari criticized an employee of the Ministry of Housing on Facebook, the Public Prosecution initiated defamation proceedings against him, requesting that the Consultative Assembly lift his parliamentary immunity so that he could be prosecuted. The Assembly rejected the request, with the case prompting protests in Sohar and Liwa.[7]

According to the submission to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Al Mamari was beaten, threatened, and handcuffed by police officers while staying at a hotel in late 2012. The submission alleged that the threats were linked to his role in the Consultative Assembly and his criticism of the government.[2]

Protest and arrest

Protest

Protesters gathered outside the Liwa Government Office

On 22 August 2013, Al Mamari, among others, were involved in a peaceful demonstration in front of the Sohar Port gate against industrial pollution posing a health hazard for those living in Liwa. Security forces fired tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse the demonstrators, injuring several people, including Al Mamari.[6][8]

Arrest

The day after the protest, on 23 August 2013, Al Mamari met with members of the Consultative Assembly and security authorities to discuss the demonstrations and the security forces' response. After the meeting, Al Mamari returned to his brother, Captain Murad Al Maamari's house in the early hours of 24 August 2013, where he was staying at the time. According to the submission to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the house was subsequently surrounded by dozens of police vehicles before officers entered and arrested him. He was later charged with the offence of "gathering in public".[2]

Trial

Held in solitary confinement in the Muscat National Security Prison, Al Mamari was denied access to his lawyer during the whole period preceding his appeal. According to his brother, Captain Murad Al Mamari, Al Mamari denied the charges of inciting the demonstrators during his interrogation.[9]

On 10 October 2013, Al Mamari was found guilty of the charges against him and was sentenced to seven years in jail and a fine of 1,000 Omani rials (approximately US$2600.78 at the time) for "obstructing traffic", "disturbing public order", and "impairing the honour of the state". After being released on bail on 11 October 2013, Al Mamari was rearrested later that same day based on accusations that he was responsible for incitement during Friday prayers at a mosque. On 16 December 2013, a court of appeals upheld the verdict against Al Mamari, reducing his sentence to four years in prison and a 500 rial (approximately US$1300.39 at the time) fine.[6][10]

Following further appeals, during which one of the complainants alleged violations of due process and judicial independence, the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to three years' imprisonment in October 2014. During this period, Al Mamari was repeatedly detained for extended periods without being granted bail.[6]

On 7 May 2014, several Omani citizens were arrested for unknown reasons, with many of their relatives speculating that it was due to their demand for the release of Talib Al-Mamari and their communication with several human rights organizations regarding this matter.[11]

International reaction

The arrest and detention of Al Mamari prompted a number of human rights organisations and nations including the Inter-Parliamentary Union,[6] Amnesty International,[12] the Gulf Centre for Human Rights,[13] the Parliament of Zambia,[14] and Human Rights Watch[15] to issue statements calling for his release.[10]

In December 2014, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) concluded that Al Mamari's detention was arbitrary and violated Articles 19 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Nevertheless, the Omani authorities did not comply with the request of the WGAD to release Al Mamari and he remained in custody.[6]

Later career

Al Mamari was released from Sama'il prison near Muscat, the capital of Oman on 4 May 2016 on a royal pardon from the late Sultan Qaboos.[10] In March 2022, Al Mamari publicly requested a meeting with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq through a post on Twitter saying that there were "facts that need to be presented transparently and sincerely."[16] In 2023, Al Mamari stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been unable to obtain employment and alleged that he was effectively being prevented from working because of his previous imprisonment.[17]

Awards

External videos
video icon فيلم عن طالب المعمري - جائزة الكرامة 2015 Talib Al Mamari , Alkarama Award (in Arabic)

On 8 December 2015 while he was still imprisoned, Al Mamari received Alkarama, a Geneva-based human rights organisation's 2015 Award for Human Rights Defenders in the Arab World.[18] Mourad Dhina, executive director at Alkarama, stated:

"Talib Al Mamari is a prisoner of conscience and a courageous human rights defender. By his unwavering non-violent fight against harmful environmental policies in Oman, he has become a model in the region as a dedicated militant who is genuinely close to the citizens' concerns. Alkarama is proud to honour him."[19]

The award was presented in Geneva on 8 December 2015, with Swiss politician Ueli Leuenberger accepting it on Al Mamari’s behalf.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "الأسماء النهائية للفائزين بعضوية مجلس الشورى للفترة الثامنة" [Final List of Elected Members of the Eighth-Term Consultative Assembly]. جريدة الرؤية العمانية (in Arabic). 26 October 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-first session (17 to 21 November 2014) (PDF) (Report). United Nations General Assembly. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2026 – via www.worldcourts.com.
  3. ↑ "سلطنة عمان: اعتقال تعسفي للدكتور طالب احمد المعمري، العضو المنتخب بمجلس الشورى" [Oman: Arbitrary Arrest of Dr Talib Ahmad Al Mamari, Elected Member of the Consultative Assembly]. Alkarama. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Al Balooshi, Yousef bin Ahmed (4 May 2016). "السلطان قابوس يصدر عفوًا عن طالب المعمري" [Sultan Qaboos Grants a Pardon to Talib Al Mamari]. Elaph (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Jailed Omani MP released after royal pardon". Gulf News. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Decision adopted by the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (Geneva, 30 November 2015) (PDF) (Report). Inter-Parliamentary Union. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 Valeri, Marc (2015). "The Ṣuḥār Paradox: Social and Political Mobilisations in the Sultanate of Oman since 2011". Arabian Humanities. 4: 30. doi:10.4000/cy.2828. hdl:10871/17974. ISSN 2308-6122. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Alsaafin, Linah (13 February 2026). "Omani parliamentarian remains imprisoned amidst crackdown on dissent". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Vadiya, Sunil K. (15 September 2018). "Detained Shura member facing two charges". Gulf News. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 "Oman: Human Rights Defender and Alkarama Award Laureate Talib Al Mamari released from prison". Alkarama. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  11. ↑ "The Annual Report of the Human Rights in Oman - 2014". The Omani Center for Human Rights & Democracy. 15 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Oman: Release politician jailed for taking part in environmental protest". Amnesty International. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Munro, Blair (29 January 2014). "TORTURE IN OMAN". Gulf Centre for Human Rights. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Calls for Oman to release wrongfully jailed former MP". National Assembly Of Zambia. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  15. ↑ Human Rights Watch (11 January 2016), Oman: Events of 2015, retrieved 13 July 2026
  16. ↑ Hanafi, Salem (23 March 2022). "ما الذي يريده الدكتور طالب المعمري من السلطان هيثم بن طارق؟!" [What does Dr Talib Al Mamari want from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq?!]. Watan (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  17. ↑ Karim, Ali (9 August 2023). "الدكتور طالب المعمري حديث العمانيين.. كشف عن ظلم كبير تعرض له "بأوامر عليا"" [Dr Talib Al Mamari Becomes the Talk of Omanis After Revealing Major Injustice He Says He Faced Under "Higher Orders"]. Watan (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "سياسيٌّ سويسري يتسلّم جائزة حقوقي عُماني مُعتقل" [Swiss politician accepts award on behalf of imprisoned Omani rights activist]. Arabian Business (in Arabic). 29 December 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Omani MP Talib Al Mamari to Receive 2015 Alkarama Award for Human Rights Defenders". Alkarama. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "سياسيٌّ سويسري يتسلّم جائزة حقوقي عُماني مُعتقل" [Swiss politician accepts award on behalf of imprisoned Omani rights activist]. SWI swissinfo (in Arabic). 13 December 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2026.

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