#YES_TO_OMAN

New Law likely

By Lakshmi Kothaneth — MUSCAT — Details of new draft heritage law to replace the 1980 law were unveiled at a press conference yesterday by Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture at the Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums. The new draft law will follow the progress made by regional and international organisations concerned with the preservation of world heritage. Former Jordanian minister of justice Dr Hamza al Hadad took part in the preparation of this law. The under-secretary added that the new law contains 9 chapters. The first has meanings and terms of heritage and its various fields, while chapter 2 is on management and protection of intangible heritage; chapter 3 deals with public and private Omani heritage records; chapter 4 is about procedures and criteria for the management of archaeological surveys and excavations; chapter 5 on appropriate controls for excavations; chapter 6 is on protection of fixed cultural heritage; chapter 7 deals with protection of movable cultural heritage; chapter 8 on protection of intangible cultural heritage and the last chapter deals with powers and penalties.

In addition to these 9 chapters, the law includes 74 articles and explanatory memorandum accompanying the draft law and regulations. Around 17 government entities were invited to participate in the workshop to be held today, and will be attended by representatives of various government entities, in addition to Dr Hamza, to finalise the articles of the new law. He said that the recommendations of the workshop, the fifth on this subject, will be presented to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Asked about the implementation of the law, the under-secretary said he hoped that it will be implemented in the near future. “Most of the national manuscripts are indigenous unlike other countries. Almost 14,000 manuscripts have been recorded,” said Al Mahrouqi, explaining to the media the importance of the new law.

The new law will protect public and private heritage of Oman. At present private buildings that have significant historical and architectural value are being registered for protection. “Around 60 structures have been identified covering the area from Musandam to Dhofar Governorate.  As a community it is important to have this preservation,” said Al Mahrouqi. Meanwhile, archeaological parks are being developed in Qalhat and Qurum. “Some amount of heritage is bound to be lost because of natural process. The management of private heritage is governed by a national committee. There are certain prerequisites and requirements to be met to have private museums,” explained Al Mahrouqi. He also said there have been successful projects. (With ONA inputs)

Monday 24th, February 2014 / 02:23 Written by Oman Observer in Head stories, Main