Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 - Oman
Publisher | United States Department of State |
Publication Date | 30 April 2014 |
Cite as | United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 - Oman, 30 April 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/536229cd44.html [accessed 9 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Overview: Oman is an important regional counterterrorism partner and worked actively to prevent terrorists from conducting attacks within Oman and using the country for safe haven or to transport terrorists, weapons, and materiel. The Omani government actively sought training and equipment from U.S. government and commercial entities as well as from other countries to support its efforts to control its land and maritime borders. At the request of the Government of Bahrain, Omani authorities arrested three members of the alleged terrorist group "Army of the Imam" in February, according to regional press reports. Oman used U.S. security assistance to improve counterterrorism tactics, techniques, and procedures. Omani officials engaged regularly with U.S. officials on the need to counter violent extremism and terrorism.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Omani criminal law does not explicitly criminalize terrorism. However, certain general provisions of the Penal Code may be used to prosecute acts of terrorism. Oman's criminal procedure law permits those suspected of posing a threat to national security to be held for 30 days without a charge.
Although there was strong U.S.-Omani cooperation, there was little interagency coordination among the many Omani agencies with jurisdiction over counterterrorism. Roles and responsibilities between law enforcement and the armed forces were not clearly delineated.
The Government of Oman recognizes the need to improve its capabilities and participated in the State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program in 2013. FY 2012 was to be the final year of funding for the ATA program in Oman, but as a result of the growing security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula, the program was extended. Priorities for the ATA program in Oman are to build border security capacity and enhance investigative capacity. U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) training included land border training for Omani security forces responsible for securing Oman's border with Yemen.
Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Oman is a member of the Middle East North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. A 2010 Royal Decree, number 79/2010, is the country's main legislation on Anti-Money Laundering/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). The Royal Oman Police Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a member of the Egmont Group, is responsible for enforcing AML/CFT laws and regulations. Oman has increased the funding for its FIU. However, the country lacks any statistics on the number and nature of its suspicious transaction reports and has not had any apparent investigations or prosecutions for money laundering or terrorist financing.
The Government of Oman and its Central Bank have a high degree of oversight of its commercial banking sector. In 2012, Oman formally introduced Islamic banking services into the financial system through Royal Decree 69/2012. Hawalas are not permitted in the financial service sector and Omani authorities have acted to shutter attempted hawala operations.
For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.
Regional and International Cooperation: Oman cooperated in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League.