A/HRC/45/36 including Mr. Turgunov 103 (CAT/C/UZB/CO/5, para. 16). 104 Nonetheless, it expressed concern that a number of them, including Mr. Turgunov, had “been denied permission to establish a non-governmental organization with the objective of petitioning the authorities to investigate past allegations of torture and ill-treatment and to provide redress to victims, and at reports that they have faced intimidation and harassment for attempting to do so (para. 17).” 135. The Committee recommended the State party to “ensure that human rights defenders and journalists, including those sharing information with UN human rights mechanisms, are able to work safely and effectively in the State party, and review and revise laws and procedures governing the registration and operation of non-governmental organizations in the State party, ensuring they do not face reprisals” (CAT/C/UZB/CO/5, para. 18 (c)). The Committee further recommended that the State party “grant access to United Nations special procedures mandate holders who have requested visits and encourages it to invite the Special Rapporteur on torture as affirmed in the constructive dialogue” (CAT/C/UZB/CO/5, para. 67). 136. On 22 June 2020, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report, stating that the Prosecutor’s Office in Fergana conducted a preliminary inquiry into the cases of Mr. Mamatkhanov and Mr. Madaliev, and that Mr. Madaliyev was not subjected to any pressure from law enforcement agencies. Regarding Mr. Mamathanov, the Government stated he cannot assert that he was pursued by law enforcement officers or other persons. The Government indicates that Mr. Mamatkhanov and Mr. Madaliyev did not present any other specific facts about pressure or interference of law enforcement officials in their human rights activities. On 24 January 2020, the Prosecutor’s Office decided not to initiate criminal proceedings due to the lack of corpus delicti in the actions of law enforcement officials. 137. Regarding the case of Mr. Turgunov, the Government stated the Prosecutor’s Office of Almazar District of Tashkent conducted a preliminary inquiry during which repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to contact him. During the inquiry, the facts of intimidation or reprisal of Mr. Turgunov by law enforcement agencies were not established. Based on this, on 19 February 2020, the Prosecutor’s Office decided not to initiate a criminal case due to the lack of corpus delicti in anyone’s actions. 37. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 138. The High Commissioner for Human Rights addressed intimidation and reprisals in the context of the preparation of her July 2019 report in which OHCHR took appropriate measures to protect the identity of its sources (A/HRC/41/18, para. 6). 105 She noted that members of the political opposition, human rights activists and journalists, among others, are frequently labelled as “traitors” and “destabilizing agents” including by high-level authorities, and stated that this rhetoric is widely disseminated through pro-government media such as the weekly television programme “Con el Mazo Dando” (see Annex II) presented by the President of the National Constituent Assembly (A/HRC/41/18, paras. 34– 36). In many cases names of those affected or additional information cannot be included due to fear of further reprisals. In December 2019, the Assistant Secretary-General addressed patterns of intimidation and reprisals to the Government in writing. 139. On 9 September 2019, during her oral update, the High Commissioner expressed concern that some civil society organizations and their representatives that collaborated with OHCHR had been “victims of public denouncements and threats by senior officials,” following the report’s publication. She underlined that reprisals for having cooperated with the UN are unacceptable and urged the authorities to take preventative measures. 106 103 104 105 106 Also spelled Agzam Turgunov. See also CAT/C/UZB/CO/4, para. 8. Human Rights Council resolution 39/1. Oral Update on the Human Rights Situation in Venezuela, 9 September 2019, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24958&LangID=E. 47