Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman today organized a symposium themed “The Right to Food” to mark the Arab Human Rights Day, which falls on 16 March every year. The symposium, held at the Diplomatic Club, was aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of advancing human rights in accordance with international and regional conventions. It also focused on the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to enhance food security and related national policies.
According to Oman News Agency, the symposium was held under the auspices of Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs. It was organized by the Oman Human Rights Commission in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry. The event highlighted national and regional legislation on ensuring the right to food security and underlined the Sultanate of Oman’s role in supporting humanitarian issues, notably the rights of Palestinian people.
In a speech at the symposium, Saleh Yahya Al Maskari, Head of the Global Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, noted that the right to food is not only related to the availability of food but also to the diversity, affordability, and accessibility. Al Maskari pointed out that the worsening food crisis in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s closure of crossings and prevention of humanitarian aid constitutes a violation of international conventions and humanitarian law.
Al Maskari stressed Oman’s focus on food security and supply, emphasizing ongoing efforts to strengthen the food security system. Dr. Rashid Hamad Al Balushi, Chairman of the Oman Human Rights Commission, stated that the event underscores Arab countries’ commitment to human rights protection in line with regional and international conventions.