A/HRC/42/30
taking part in an unauthorized public assembly. The ban was lifted on 13 July 2017, and the
case was set aside due to insufficient evidence. With regard to the allegations that Ms. AliAlsaegh received threats, there has been no complaint filed through any of the relevant
national remedies. The Government response also referred to the situation of Ms. Hajar
Mansoor Hassan and Mr. Nabeel Rajab (see Annex II).
4.
Bangladesh
6.
Some human rights advocates and indigenous peoples’ representatives, in particular
from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, were reportedly intimidated during the 18th session of the
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York in April 2019, where they
reported on incidents of persecution, arbitrary arrest, torture and ill-treatment,
disappearances and killings in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the first half of 2019.
Participants were followed and privately videotaped without their consent, and were
approached and asked not to take the floor in public meetings. As a result, some
participants avoided speaking with United Nations officials out of fear of reprisals.
7.
On 5 July 2019, the Government responded to the allegations, expressing its dismay
at the allegations reported. However, to be able to check on the authenticity of the
allegations, the Government indicated that it requires more information without which
allegations are incomplete, unfounded and unjustified. The Government stated that in UN
meetings it is common practice to take photos or record audio/video of speakers unless
prohibited or restricted for a specific event. It states that Permanent Forum events are open
to all, including side events. The Government indicated that it is not aware on any incident
where “indigenous participants were approached in the corridors and asked not to take the
floor in public meetings.” Lastly, the Government highlighted that everyone in Bangladesh
is indigenous and there are as many as 50 ethnic groups, but most of the participation at the
Permanent Forum is from a single ethnic group and recommends for the Permanent Forum
to be more inclusive.
5.
Benin
8.
In July 2018, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture reported that during its
visit it received testimonies that detainees feared reprisals for speaking freely and engaging
with members of the delegation, in particular at the Agblangandan gendarmerie station and
in the Cotonou prison. The Subcommittee took note of the assurances provided by the
authorities that no reprisals would take place. The Subcommittee requested the authorities
to ensure that no reprisals occur after its visit, and to provide it with detailed information on
the steps taken to prevent reprisals against staff or prisoners who spoke to members of the
Subcommittee (CAT/OP/BEN/3, paras. 107–108).
6.
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
9.
In July 2018, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture reported that during its
visit it was unable to speak in private to persons deprived of liberty in Mocoví and San
Pedro prisons due to lack of cooperation by staff and fear of reprisals against inmates. The
occurrence of reprisals as a result of the Subcommittee’s visit was corroborated during a
follow-up visit by OHCHR, and the Subcommittee requested detailed information about
measures adopted to address this. The Subcommittee recommended prompt, impartial and
effective investigations so that those responsible are brought to justice and suitable redress
is provided to victims (CAT/OP/BOL/3, paras. 3, 14, 126–131).
7.
Burundi
10.
During the 2018 September session of the Human Rights Council, the Permanent
Mission of Burundi in Geneva requested the withdrawal of the badges of a number of civil
society representatives with ECOSOC accreditation, including members of the Burundian
19