A/HRC/42/30 from Geneva, she was arrested in Abu Dhabi by Emirati authorities and taken to Riyadh by Saudi authorities for interrogation. After three days she was released and a travel ban was imposed. On 15 May 2018, Saudi police forces raided Ms. Al-Hathloul’s home, arrested her and held her in incommunicado detention for three months. The charges against Ms. AlHathloul reportedly include using social media to communicate with international actors and contact with foreign entities and participating in an exam of the United Nations. The case of Ms. Al-Hathloul has been raised by several special procedures mandate holders (SAU 15/2014; SAU 7/2018 and A/HRC/40/60/Add.1, para. 637; SAU 1/2019).96 93. The CEDAW Chair and Committee Focal Point on Reprisals wrote confidential letters to the Government97 related to the allegations of arbitrary detention and degrading treatment and punishment. In response, the Government provided information on the conditions of detention and remedies available to Ms. Al-Hathloul.98 On 5 April 2019, the Government submitted additional information, stating that she had committed offences related to national security and cybercrimes and is detained in the General Directorate of Investigation (Al-Mabahith) with rights to medical treatment, legal representation, communications and visits. The Government stated that the investigation into her case has been conducted and concluded. 94. On 25 June 2018, three special procedures mandate holders addressed the situation of Mr. Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih and Ms. Radhia Al-Mutawake of the Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (see also Yemen), including reported arbitrary detentions during attempts to fly from Seiyun airport, in apparent reprisal for their cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms (YEM 4/2018; SAU 8/2018 and A/HRC/40/60/Add.1, para. 638). In 2017, Ms. Al-Mutawakel was the first Yemeni woman to present a briefing at the UN Security Council and Mr. Al-Faqih had actively participated in Human Rights Council sessions in 2017. The detention and confiscation of their passports at Seiyun airport by military police were reportedly based on orders received from the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, and caused them to not be able to travel (YEM 4/2018; SAU 8/2018). On 28 June 2018, the Government responded stating that Saudi Arabia is not concerned with these cases since they are in the territories of Yemen.99 95. In March 2019, Mr. Yahya Al-Assiri, director of the Saudi human rights organization AlQST, which reports on the human rights situation of detainees and activists in Saudi Arabia, delivered a statement on behalf of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) during the UPR adoption of Saudi Arabia, and spoke as a panellist at a side event on Saudi Arabia organised by the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT). As a result of his engagement, Al-Assiri reportedly received threats on social media. Some of the women human rights defenders detained in 2018100 were reportedly interrogated about Mr. Al-Assiri, including explicitly regarding his engagement with the UN Human Rights Council. 30. Sri Lanka 96. A February 2019 OHCHR report notes that harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders and of victims of human rights violations continue. In 2018, rights defenders reported being questioned by the authorities after travelling to attend sessions of the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/40/23, para 55). Representatives of civil society have also reported being monitored, under surveillance, or intimidated, including receiving death threats, by different groups while participating in sessions of the Council. A former NGO worker was visited by armed men who questioned him about his activities in support of 96 97 98 99 100 36 OHCHR “Saudi Arabia must immediately free women human rights defenders held in crackdown, say UN experts,” (27 June 2018). 25 May 2018, 20 July 2018, 7 August 2018, 13 November 2018, and 20 November 2018. 9 October 2018 and 3 December 2018. Response from Government: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/ DownLoadFile?gId=34154. OHCHR, “Saudi Arabia must immediately free women human rights defenders held in crackdown, say UN experts,” (27 June 2018).