A/HRC/45/36 of North Kivu reportedly received death threats from the commander and members of an armed group. They were accused of collaborating with MONUSCO and sharing information that resulted in the issuing of an arrest warrant for the commander of the armed group. As a result, in June 2019, several human rights defenders were forced to relocate. 39. On 19 December 2019, the Security Council called upon the Government to facilitate, in line with previous agreements, full and unhindered access for the Joint Human Rights Office to all detention centres, hospitals and morgues and all other premises required for documenting human rights violations. 21 The Security Council further called for “unhindered and immediate access, in particular to persons, documents and sites the Group of Experts deems relevant to the execution of its mandate” (para. 39). 13. Egypt 40. Multiple United Nations actors identified alleged intimidation and reprisals, in the context of an erosion of civic space, including the targeting of human rights defenders and civil society organizations. Incidents reported to OHCHR included threats and accusations levelled for attempts to share information with the UN, post on social media, and participate in UN sessions and side events. 22 Cases of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment and torture were also reported (see also Annex II). In December 2019, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights addressed patterns of intimidation and reprisals to the Government in writing. 41. In particular, in the months leading up to and following the November 2019 UPR of Egypt, the Government allegedly arrested, detained, and targeted smear campaigns against individuals who had engaged in the UPR process, some who were either portrayed as, or formally accused of, belonging to “terrorist organizations.” Perpetrators also included members of the media and organizations that are supportive of the Government. 42. In October 2019, it was reported to OHCHR that the prosecution of civil society organizations under the “foreign funding case” (Case No. 173/2011), which has targeted those cooperating with entities abroad through asset freezes and travel bans, was ongoing despite many individuals having been acquitted. 23 In October 2019, 31 individuals were reportedly still under a travel ban and remained unable to engage in the UPR-related sessions and other UN events in Geneva. Other representatives of civil society decided not to travel to Geneva to participate in the UPR due to legislative impediments to their organizations and due to a fear of reprisals (see Annex II). 43. In October 2019, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights addressed these concerns to the Government in writing. As of May 2020, it was reported to OHCHR that 15 defendants had filed a motion to lift the travel ban. Due to the COVID-19 situation, hearings for the ruling on the motion were adjourned several times. To date, none of those under a travel ban has reportedly been allowed to travel. 44. In the December 2019 report of the UPR Working Group, it was noted that multiple Member States made recommendations to the Government to address intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN, 24 which were accepted by the Government of Egypt. 25 The report stated that the delegation during the UPR review had affirmed that “(a)ny act of intimidation or reprisal against those who cooperated with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms was wholly unacceptable. Such acts were thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators held accountable, once sufficient information had been provided and verified” (A/HRC/43/16, para. 17). 45. On 28 October 2019, special procedures mandate holders addressed “a wave of arrests targeting protesters, journalists and human rights defenders” and expressed grave concern about particular individuals, including Mr. Mohamed El-Baqer, a lawyer targeted 21 22 23 24 25 S/RES/2502, para. 8 (2019). See for example A/HRC/43/51/Add.3, paras. 611, 650. See A/HRC/42/30, Annex II, paras. 49–50. See for example A/HRC/43/16, paras. 31.195, 31.196, 31.205. A/HRC/43/16/Add.1, para. 7. 27