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Oman’s Fight Against Human Trafficking: A Comparison of the 2008 and 2025 Legal Frameworks

Human trafficking remains one of the most serious violations of human dignity globally. Oman has long recognized this threat, having first formalized legal protections in 2008. With the promulgation of Royal Decree No. 78/2025, Oman has now replaced its earlier law with a more comprehensive, modernized legal framework. What are the key differences? And what do they mean in practice for enforcement, victims, and those with legal or regulatory exposure? Below is a comparative analysis of the two laws, followed by some reflections on implications.

The 2008 Law: Overview

• Promulgated by Royal Decree No. 126/2008.
• Art. 2 para. 1 of this law defines the crime of human trafficking as committing any of the following acts intentionally or for the purpose of exploitation: The use, transfer, shelter or reception of a person through coercion, threat, trickery, exploitation of a position of power, exploitation of weakness, use of authority over that person, or by any other illegal means whether directly or indirectly. Exploitation included prostitution / sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or practices similar to it, removal of organs etc.
• Penalties:

• In accordance with Art. 8, whoever commits a human trafficking crime shall be punished by imprisonment for three to seven years and a fine of 5,000 to 100,000 Riyals.
• A human trafficking crime shall be punishable by imprisonment for seven to fifteen years and a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 Riyals in a number of listed cases, such as;
  • Where the victim is a minor or one of special need
  • Where the culprit carries an arm,
  • Where the crime has been committed by more than one person
  • Where the culprit is spouse of the victim, one of their ascendants, descendants, their guardian, or has power over them
  • Where the crime is committed by an organized criminal group, or the culprit is a member thereof
  • Where the culprit is a public employee or being assigned to public service, and exploited their post in committing the crime
  • Where the crime is transnational
  • Where because of being exploited in the human trafficking crime the victim becomes mad, contracts AIDS, or suffers an untreatable psychological or organic disease

Whoever forms, establishes, organizes, manages, holds a leading position in, or calls for membership of an organized criminal group, which trafficking in persons is its aim or one of its aims organized criminal involvement, or a transnational element, etc.

• Institutional framework:
  • Establishment of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT) under Articles 22‑23. Responsibilities included prevention, coordination, public awareness, and victim care/rehabilitation, among others.
• Victim protection: The 2008 law had some measures for victim care / special procedures during investigations. But in practice, there were some missing elements like lack of shelter, legal aid, identification of victims among vulnerable populations, protection from deportation.

The 2025 Law: What’s New & Enhanced

Promulgated by Royal Decree No. 78/2025, the new law repeals the 2008 law and introduces several enhancements.

Here are the key features of the new law, especially where it departs from or improves upon the 2008 framework:

Key Implications & Reflections

1. For Victims
   The 2025 law significantly improves the legal status and protections for trafficking victims. The move to ensure victims aren’t punished for acts committed as a result of trafficking, and the provision of shelters, medical & psychological care, and legal aid, are strong steps forward. These reduce the disincentives for victims to come forward and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions.
2. For Enforcement & Prosecution
   Clearer obligations (e.g., failure to report, witness protection, identity protection) and corporate liability expand the range of conduct that can be punished. Stronger penalties and stricter rules leave less room for ambiguity or leniency. The enhancements should assist in making prosecutions more effective, especially in cross-border/organized crime cases or those involving vulnerable persons.
3. For Private Entities / Employers / Institutions
   Employers and legal persons must be particularly careful. Under the new law, liability isn’t just individual: companies can face fines, suspension/dissolution. Practices that may have been tolerated or overlooked earlier (passport withholding; coercive employment conditions) will face more concrete legal risks.

4. International & Human Rights Compliance
   The 2025 regime appears more closely aligned with international standards (e.g., the UN TIP (Trafficking in Persons) Protocol) in ensuring non-discrimination of victim consent, expanded definitions, non-punishment, and victim rights. This could enhance Oman’s international reputation, reduce risk in cross-border legal exposure, and support cooperation with foreign jurisdictions.
5. Challenges / What to Watch Out For
   • Implementation: Laws are only as good as enforcement. Training of law enforcement, prosecutorial agencies, judiciary will be essential.
   • Victim identification: law reforms help, but institutional capacity, clear protocols, and practical mechanisms are needed to identify victims among vulnerable groups.
   • Resource allocation: shelters, medical & psychological rehabilitation, and legal aid all need funding and infrastructure.
   • Monitoring and reporting: the NCCHT’s oversight plus reporting to the Council of Ministers must be translated into transparent and regular reports.
   • Ensuring that corporate liability and new offences are understood by the private sector; risk of unintentional noncompliance.

Conclusion

The transition from the 2008 law to the 2025 law marks a significant evolution in Oman’s legal response to human trafficking. The 2025 law is more robust in its definitions, protections, and enforcement tools, and better aligned with international legal norms. For victims, the changes offer pathways to protection rather than penalization; for perpetrators, clearer deterrents; and for institutions, stronger mandates and responsibilities.

For law firms, NGOs, private sector actors, and government agencies, the new law presents both opportunities (for improved justice and rights protection) and responsibilities (ensuring compliance and active participation). Oman’s legal landscape has matured in this field — the next step is embedding these reforms in practice.

References:

Royal Decree 126/2008 Issuing the Law Combating Human Trafficking

https://qanoon.om/p/2008/rd2008126/

Royal Decree 78/2025 Issuing the Law Combating Human Trafficking

https://qanoon.om/p/2025/rd2025078/

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Major Reduction in Court Fees: A New Era of Access to Justice for Commercial Disputes in Oman

The Omani judicial system has taken a significant step toward enhancing access to justice and fostering a more business-friendly legal environment. As per the latest government announcement, court fees for filing commercial lawsuits in Oman have been substantially reduced, marking a major reform in the litigation process for companies and entrepreneurs alike.

These amendments are in line with Article (30) of Royal Decree No. 6/2021, which guarantees the right of citizens, residents, and investors to litigation and to have their cases decided without undue delay. The fundamental principle is that access to justice should not be restricted by prohibitively high costs, and the new reform reflects the government’s commitment to protecting these rights.

This reform brings Oman in line with international best practices, encouraging a more efficient, transparent, and investor-friendly dispute resolution mechanism.

New Court Fee Structure

YLAW’s Role

We welcome this progressive development and stand ready to assist clients in taking full advantage of the new framework. Whether you are pursuing a debt recovery case, a breach of contract claim, or a shareholder dispute, our litigation and arbitration team will guide you through the streamlined court procedures and help you file your case efficiently and cost-effectively.

We encourage businesses who were previously hesitant to litigate due to high fees to revisit their pending claims in light of this positive change.

Younis Al Amri and Sayed Taher Advocates & Solicitors

تخفيض كبير في رسوم التقاضي: عصر جديد من سهولة الوصول إلى العدالة في منازعات الشركات التجارية في سلطنة عمان

اتخذ النظام القضائي العماني خطوة مهمة نحو تعزيز الوصول إلى العدالة وتهيئة بيئة قانونية أكثر ملاءمة للأعمال. ووفقاً للإعلان الحكومي الأخير، فقد تم تخفيض رسوم تسجيل القضايا التجارية أمام المحاكم العمانية بشكل كبير، مما يشكل إصلاحاً جوهرياً في إجراءات التقاضي للشركات ورواد الأعمال على حد سواء.

لقد واكبت تلك التعديلات نص المادة (30) من المرسوم السلطاني رقم 6/2021م التي كفلت حق المواطن والمقيم والمستثمر في التقاضي وسرعة الفصل فيها. والأصل أن تكون رسوم التقاضي ميسّرة بحيث لا تشكّل عائقاً أمام اقتضاء الحقوق، وهو ما تحقق اليوم عبر النظام الجديد الذي يعكس حرص المشرّع على صون هذا الحق.

ويتماشى هذا الإصلاح مع أفضل الممارسات الدولية، ويعزز كفاءة النظام القضائي وشفافيته ويجعل البيئة القضائية أكثر جذباً للمستثمرين.

جدول الرسوم القضائية الجديد

يمثل هذا التخفيض تحولاً جوهرياً مقارنةً بالرسوم السابقة، التي كانت تُحتسب بنسبة مئوية من قيمة المطالبة، وغالباً ما كانت تتجاوز آلاف الريالات في القضايا ذات القيمة العالية.

دور YLAW

إننا في مكتب يونس العامري وسيد طاهر – محامون ومستشارون قانونيون نرحب بهذا التطور الإيجابي، ونحن على أتم الاستعداد لمساعدة عملائنا في الاستفادة القصوى من هذا النظام الجديد. سواء كنتم بصدد رفع دعوى استرداد ديون، أو قضية خرق عقد، أو نزاع بين الشركاء، فإن فريق التقاضي والتحكيم لدينا سيتولى توجيهكم خلال الإجراءات القضائية الجديدة بكفاءة واحترافية، وبأقل التكاليف الممكنة.

وندعو الشركات التي كانت مترددة في السابق بسبب الرسوم المرتفعة إلى إعادة النظر في مطالباتها المؤجلة في ضوء هذا التغيير الإيجابي.

يونس العامري وسيد طاهر للمحاماة والاستشارات القانونية

1. Components of the article of association

1. Interpretations of terms
2. Shares
3. Meeting
4. Powers of shareholders
5. Accounts and Audit
6. Dissolution and Liquidation

2. Which companies required to have an article of association

1. Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
2. Close Joint Stock Companies (SAOC
3. Open Joint Stock Companies (SAOG)

3. Conclusion

THE ONGOING PANDEMIC AND ITS EFFECT ON LONG TERM COMMERCIAL RENTAL CONTRACTS

Rental Contracts, Lease, lessee, lessor, long term lease

A lease contract is a contract whereby the lessor is obligated to enable the lessee to benefit from a certain property for a certain period in return for a known fee. Due to the pandemic the business activities have been already subdued which has largely incurred substantial businesses losses, so commercial and individual lessees were unable to fulfill the obligation of the rent payments which has been on continuous basis and resulted on legal liability on them.

RIGHTS OF THE LESSOR AND LESSEE IMPUNITY FROM CONSEQUENCES OF NON-PAYMENT

Lessor is not entitled to the rent in the absence of the benefit of the lessee even if lessor does not cause it, such as force majeure or the issuance of an act by the government that prevents the full use of the property. But if this partially affected the use, the lessee may stop paying the rent and terminate the contract after giving a notice to the lessor.

The decision of the ‘Supreme Committee tasked with control of Covid-19 in Oman’ is considered in the place of force majeure that entails the application of the provisions of Article (172) and (550) of the Civil Transactions Law Article )172(:

1. In bilateral contracts, if force majeure occurs rendering the performance of the obligation impossible to complete, the corresponding obligation shall be extinguished, and the contract shall automatically be revoked.
2. Where the obligation is partial, only the corresponding obligation to that part which becomes impossible to be performed shall be extinguished. Such provision shall also apply to temporary impossibility in permanent contracts. In both cases, the lessee may rescind the contract provided that a notice is served to the Lessor.

Moreover, according to Article (550) of the civil transaction law:

1. If any matter is issued by the competent authorities that prevents the total enjoyment of the leased property without cause attributed to the lessee, the lease shall be cancelled, and the rent shall be extinguished from the date of prevention.
2. If said prevention shall prejudice the enjoyment of the leased property in a manner that shall partially affect the receipt of the intended benefit thereof, the lessee shall rescind the contract and be discharged from the rent as of the date of the service of a notice to the lessor.

Furthermore, according to Section 2 Impossibility of Performance (Article 339) of the civil transaction law. The Obligation shall be extinguished if the debtor proves that the fulfilment thereof became impossible due to a foreign* cause beyond his will.

In conclusion, either the lessee file a commercial case in order to reduce the rent amount or evacuate the building after giving the lessor 3 months’ notice or lesser period but more than 1 months, with the expectation that a case might be filed by the lessor against the lessee where the lessee must make assure to the competent court that the impossibility of performance of the contract occurred due to the financial deterioration that the lessee went through which led to this situation. If a case if filed, the lessee needs to have in hand the Audited Financials if the lessee is a company/commercial wherein it is evident 3 years continuous losses and for individual she/he must have his/her financial statement.  

Ghada Al-Ghaithi

Associate Lawyer – (Corporate & Commercial)

admin@anlawoman.com

+968-94717666

Company registration in Oman - International Companies/Investors; No upfront capital required for the incorporation of LLC in Oman.

1.1. LLC Incorporation;

a. LLC Company formation in Sultanate of Oman require an Omani Shareholder (Sponsor) with minimum 30% shareholding and 70% of the outstanding Shareholding with a foreign investor/shareholder.

b. The minimum share capital to register an LLC is Omr 150000(USD 390,000), as per the recent updates of Ministry of Commerce a foreign Company need not to deposit or provide evidence of Omr 150000 share capital investment. The share capital investment can be paid within a period of 2 years from the date of incorporation, which will reflect in the Audited Financial Statement of the Company.

c. Facts of LLC incorporation;
i. Each shareholder is liable only to the extent of his/her share capital. ii. Public subscription for raising of funds can be permitted if converted to Joint Stock Company (SAOC, SAOG) in the later stage. iii. A foreign manager can be assigned for the day to day management of the business. iv. The shareholder has the liberty to share profits and losses in a ratio different to the share capital ratio. v. The setting up of an Omani LLC requires only One General Manager and 2 shareholders of any nationality. vi. LLC can be 100% owned subject to the Foreign Investment Laws (applicable to GCC & US investors). vii. Tax levied at 15% flat from the net profit of the Company. viii. No personal income taxes. ix. Employees can only be recruited after establishing a tenancy agreement and registration with the Muscat Municipality and Ministry of Manpower. x. Omanisation targets; Each business must employ a minimum number of Omanis depending on the sector. xi. Registration period 10 to 25 days.

1.2. Free Zone Company Set-up;

1.2.1. Sohar Free Zone

a. Operating from a strategic location on the Arabian Peninsula, Sohar offers an ideal environment for business. The combination of wide market access, sound global logistics and attractive business incentives ensure that your company will enjoy the ultimate freedom to do business. With the existing road network, deep-sea port and airport companies in Sohar can target India, the Middle East, China and South-East Asia while enjoying direct access to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and Muscat, as well as the biggest consumer market in the region, Saudi Arabia. Sohar lies in the center of the Al Batinah region, in the North of Oman. This is a prime area for investment. With its geographical location, economic resources and high population density, the Batinah region has played an important part in Oman`s history. It has always been the country`s maritime and commercial outlet to the Gulf and the Indian Ocean and its mineral resources have provided the basis for several important heavy industries.

b. Company Registration in Sohar
The Company registration procedure in Sohar Free Zone is almost similar to that of incorporating an LLC with an added detail of taking lease of the land in the free zone and the Company shall deal in the manufacturing and industrial segment.

c. Advantages of Company Set-up in Sohar Free Zone
i. 100% Foreign Ownership. ii. Must have a minimum of 2 shareholders, both of which may be foreign entities. iii. Corporate Tax Holiday of up to 25 Years. iv. A guaranteed 10-year exemption of corporate tax (normally 15% in Oman). v. One-Stop Shop for all Relevant Clearance offering a single window through which all licenses, permits and approvals can be obtained. vi. 0% Import or Re-export Duties. vii. 0% Personal Income Tax. viii. No customs duties for individuals coming in and working in the Free zone. ix. Low Capital Requirements. x. Relaxed Level of Omanisation the minimum Omanisation level for Sohar Port and Free zone is 15%. xi. Free Trade Agreements with US and Singapore.

1.2.2. Duqm Free Zone

a. The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) is a government agency that was established pursuant to Royal Decree No. 119 of 2011 and entrusted with the powers and responsibilities of developing and administering the Zone to become a regional maritime and transit-trade hub, an important complex for export-oriented industries, and an attractive tourism destination and the business gateway to Asia and Europe.

b. Advantages of setting up of Companies in DUQM
i. Easy and facilitated access to land based on long term leases and reduced rates. ii. Removal of any restrictions on foreign ownership and minimum investment capital; waiver/reduction of corporate tax and customs duties. iii. This is in addition to nationally applicable incentives such as the waiver of personal income tax, convertibility of currency, and the full repatriation of investment capital and profits. iv. Tax -exemption for 30 years from the date of starting business and for 30 years renewable. This exemption does not apply on banks, financial institutions; insurance and reinsurance companies, telecommunication services providers and land transport companies – unless they are registered with SEZAD and do their business continuously within the boundaries of the area. v. Up to 100% foreign ownership. vi. Exemption from minimum capital requirement stipulated in the commercial companies’ law and other laws. vii. No currency restrictions. viii. Exemption of Commercial Agency Law provisions. ix. Free repatriation of profits & capital. x. Usufruct agreements up to 50 years renewable for similar periods. xi. Freedom to import all kinds of goods (except the legally banned imports) without prior approval or permit unless classified as explosives or chemical products. To import such products, investors should abide by the laws and regulations in force. xii. The imported goods are not subject to any restrictions related to the retention period in the Zone, unless otherwise specified by SEZAD Board of Directors. Investors are also free to transport these goods within or within any other free zone inside the Sultanate. xiii. The finished or assembled products in the area are treated as locally produced products. xiv. The enterprises have the right to open representation office inside the custom jurisdiction subject that they are registered in accordance with the laws and regulations in-force in the Sultanate. xv. The one-stop station provides all necessary services for the enterprises. Through this window, investors can obtain all the required permits, licenses, approvals and visas as well as registration of enterprises and implementing all rules and regulations related to the area and decisions taken by the SEZAD. xvi. Speedy and efficient processing of expatriate manpower applications. The process shall not take more than five working days from the date of submitting the application. xvii. Visas for expatriates and their families' members will be issued by the Passport and Residence Department that is being set up in the area. xviii. The custom system is modernized to ensure speedy processing of goods and transactions. The Department, which uses transparent and clear valuation methodologies, processes the transactions and releases the goods in a very quick and speedy manner while maintaining control of the efficiency. The samples are also fully checked and reported at the same site.