Access to Economic and Social Services and Rights

The Tunisian ministry for human rights, relations with constitutional bodies and civil society launched an online platform (www.aide-covid19.tn) for foreigners stranded in Tunisia due to the coronavirus emergency, specifically students, migrants, and asylum seekers. The platform is to help individuals seek assistance, get connected to different organizations, and to receive donations and other aid from individuals or legal entities.

The Ministry of Immigration revealed that a displaced person in Jam Mashkou camp in Dohuk governorate was infected, and the Minister of Immigration has directed to take preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus, like disinfecting the camp, preventing entry and exit, taking swabs, transfer patients, and quarantining those who were in contact with them. The necessary measures have been taken in coordination with the Dohuk Health Department.

The ministerial decision states that land and real estate that non-Omanis are prohibited from owning in the Sultanate must be specified as follows: Agricultural lands in all provinces; or Other lands and real estate in the governorates, states and mountains specified in Article 1 of the law, as well as in all islands in the Sultanate, and in the surroundings of palaces, headquarters of security and military authorities specified under the text of Article 2, and in the heritage and old neighborhoods specified by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture; this does not include land and real estate located in finished tourist housing compounds.

Changes were made to Oman’s Law on the Control of Communicable Diseases as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additions reiterated the need for all residents infected with a communicable disease to receive medical care and treatment in government treatment facilities. Failure to do so by any foreigners or foreigners caught in activities that risk the spread of listed communicable diseases are subject to possible deportation from the country. Additional articles established the requirement for individuals entering the country who are infected or suspected of being infected to notify this information to authorities and also the right of the Ministry of Health to subject individuals to necessary procedures to combat communicable diseases such as quarantining the individual and his or her luggage.

Oman signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which states all peoples to certain rights.

Amnesty was granted through Royal Decree No. 10 to 901 prisoners, including migrants, for humanitarian reasons and in light of the COVID-19 situation. The Ministry of Interior undertook a comprehensive study to determine the prisoners who are eligible for amnesty following the provisions of the law and the principles of international human rights agreements. Consideration was given to female and young prisoners, the sick who need special care, and the extent of commitment to rehabilitation programmes. Foreigners will be deported to their home countries where they will serve the remaining period of their sentences.

A new committee was created by the Office of the Prime Minister for the purposes of assuring the protection of the legal and human rights of migrants in the country. This committee is led by the Ministry of Interior’s Immigration, Passport and Naturalization Authority.

In Somalia’s National Social Protection Policy, which sets out a framework for a national social protection system in Somalia from 2019 to 2040, the Government recognizes IDPs in Somalia as one of the most vulnerable sectors in society and makes provisions to create a safety net to address their needs.

Decision No. 23 defines the scope of application of health insurance law as all citizens, residents, and visitors. Provisions for migrant workers are included in Article 28 requiring the employer to pay the fees for health insurance subscription on behalf of his non-Bahraini workers in order to cover the benefits listed under the compulsory health package for residents and requiring a sponsor to pay the subscription fees for persons he sponsors who do not have an employer in order to cover the benefits listed under the relevant compulsory health insurance package.

Law No. 17 establishes a workers’ support and insurance fund to support, ensure and provide care for workers, by guaranteeing their rights and a healthy and safe working environment, paying workers’ due wages following a decision by the labour dispute committees, providing humanitarian support for workers in emergency situations, and standardizing mandatory recreation for workers.