A/HRC/45/36 THA 8/2019). The mandate holders raised concerns that the cooperation of Mr. Sayavong with the Special Rapporteur may have possibly contributed to his alleged disappearance and, if this were the case, it may be considered an act of reprisal by Lao authorities. 94 They urged the Government of Thailand to clarify the steps taken to locate Mr. Sayavong, in particular given his refugee status. 95 The fate and whereabouts of Mr. Sayavong remain unknown. 125. On 18 July 2019, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar completed her mission to Myanmar’s neighbouring countries, noting “While I was in Thailand, I had to abort part of my visit due to interference. This is very serious and not to be taken lightly.”96 She thanked the Government for facilitating her visit, but noted that any harassment, reprisals and intimidation against people who cooperate with her mandate and other UN mechanisms is unacceptable. She stated that “It is of great concern to me that Myanmar appears to be increasing pressure and engaging the Governments of neighbouring countries in its efforts to violate rights and avoid scrutiny. This includes obstructing me in carrying out my mandate.”97 126. On 23 July 2020, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report, providing an update on an investigation launched after a complaint was filed by Mr. Od Sayavong’s friend on 2 September 2019. The Royal Thai Police interviewed Mr. Sayavong’s relatives, friends, and acquaintances, as well as examined security camera footage, call records and financial transactions, but have not yet found any useful evidence or clues that would clarify his fate and whereabouts. The Department of Special Investigation has also taken up the case since 11 February 2020. Meanwhile, the National Committee for Managing Cases Relating to Torture and Enforced Disappearance has kept Mr. Sayavong’s family and legal representatives abreast of any progress on the investigation, and helped them seek appropriate remedy with the relevant authorities. 127. Concerning the allegations by the Special Rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar about pressure on neighbouring countries, the Government indicated that representatives from the relevant Thai agencies had met and discussed with the Special Rapporteur, both in Bangkok and Geneva, and tried to address her concerns, even with limited specific information about the incident. The National Intelligence Agency and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) also looked into the matter extensively in August 2019 but found no solid evidence. Without more specific details from the Special Rapporteur, the allegations could not be investigated further. 35. Turkey 128. On 9 December 2019, special procedures mandate holders addressed the legal action, including the imposition of an international travel ban, against Ms. Nurcan Kaya, a minority rights defender in Turkey, who had cooperated with the UN. The mandate holders regretted the Court’s decision to impose an international travel ban on Ms. Kaya, which prevented her from participating in international events, including those organized by the UN human rights mechanisms (TUR 11/2019). On 9 October 2019, Ms. Kaya had posted on social media a criticism of the Turkish military campaign in Syria. On 27 October 2019, Ms. Kaya was apprehended and detained for several hours by the Turkish police at Istanbul airport, as she was about to board her flight to Tunis to participate as a panellist in an international conference organized by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. She was also prevented from being a panellist at the November 2019 Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva. 94 OHCHR, 95 96 97 “Thailand/Lao PDR: UN experts concerned by disappearance of Lao human rights defender” (1 October 2019), https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25087&LangID=E. Ibid. End of mission statement to Thailand and Malaysia, Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (18 July 2019), https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24832&LangID=E. Ibid. 45