A/HRC/42/30 46. On 31 July 2018, the Government noted that Dr. Amasha was still in pre-trial detention on charges of joining a group established contrary to law, calling for demonstrations without authorization, incitement to violence and other charges. He was recommended to undergo medical treatment in the prison’s clinic. According to information received in May 2019, his family and lawyer have not been allowed to visit him in prison since his initial abduction in March 2017. His lawyers are able to see him only when he is presented to the prosecutor for the renewal of his pre-trial detention, during which time he is held in a glass cage in the presence of the prosecutor. Dr. Amasha reportedly suffers from urgent medical issues without adequate care, his conditions of detention are poor and he is frequently subjected to ill-treatment. 47. On 28 September 2018, several special procedures mandate holders drew attention to the misuse of counter-terrorism legislation against individuals peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and association, which they said “should not be used as an excuse to suppress dissent or curtail human rights work.”133 48. The 2017 (A/HRC/36/31, para. 32 and Annex I, para. 33) and 2018 (A/HRC/39/41, Annex I, paras. 19, 22) reports of the Secretary-General addressed legislation adopted on 24 May 2017 (Law 70 of 2017 for Regulating the Work of Associations and Other Institutions Working in the Field of Civil Work). The former High Commissioner for Human Rights noted the crucial function of NGOs in Egypt had been “severely hampered already through asset freezes, travel bans, smear campaigns and prosecutions.” He noted the new law further restricted space for human rights work by NGOs, including closer scrutiny of acquiring foreign funding134 (see also EGY 14/2016). Previously, in September 2017, the Assistant Secretary-General expressed concern that some provisions under the law could undermine civil society’s ability to engage freely with the UN, including provisions that would require them to seek Government permission before working with international organizations or experts. 49. In November 2018, it was reported that the Government was considering revisions to Law 70/2017. Discussions have reportedly taken place in 2019 for a new draft law for submission to the House of Representatives for consideration. The draft was not made public or subjected to scrutiny. In the meantime, the existing law and its application reportedly remain a threat to NGOs’ ability to fully function, with many organizations allegedly declining to submit information to UN human rights mechanisms or otherwise self-censoring to prevent prosecution and intimidation. Many organizations have reported an inability to access foreign funding as an impediment to participating in international advocacy as well as related obstacles to research and travel. These circumstances have affected many civil society organization’s preparations for Egypt’s UPR review in November 2019. Reprisals for engagement in Egypt’s UPR in 2014 were addressed in the 2014 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/27/38, para. 23; EGY 19/2013). 50. The 2017 (A/HRC/36/31, para. 30) and 2018 (A/HRC/39/41, Annex II, paras. 19, 22) reports of the Secretary-General addressed allegations of reprisals against civil society members in the form of asset freezes and travel bans. Several civil society representatives were prohibited from travelling outside of Egypt under case 173/2011, impacting their cooperation with the UN. On 20 December 2018, it was reported that over 40 civil society activists and human rights defenders were acquitted in case 173/2011, many of whom had been targeted for allegedly receiving foreign funds, inter alia. Despite this significant development, case 173 remains open and many civil society representatives have been brought in for questioning. As of May 2019, 31 human rights defenders were reportedly banned from travel, and around 60 summoned for investigation. Seven NGOs and ten human rights defenders were still subject to asset freezes including several cases in the 2017 and 2018 reports of the Secretary-General, such as staff members of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and members of their families, Mr. Bahey El Din Hassan (EGY 16/2017), and Mr. Mohamed Zaree (EGY 16/2017), among others. 133 134 52 OHCHR, “Egypt: UN experts condemn “systematic targeting” of human rights defenders,” (28 September 2018). OHCHR, “Repressive new NGO law deeply damaging for human rights in Egypt – Zeid,” (1 June 2017).