A/HRC/54/61
decision of the Ministry was in line with applicable laws due to the content of the report
MDN published in 2016, without addressing the claim on whether due process had been
followed.
108. On 31 July 2023, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to
the present report indicating that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) did not carry out an
investigation for blasphemy following the publication of Uthema’s alternative report
submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The
Government noted that MPS investigated the alleged threats and harassment against Uthema
members, that most of the social media accounts used for the threats were deactivated at the
time when the complaint had been filed and added that the investigation was ongoing to
identify the accounts reactivated and their users. It also provided information on another
investigation related to a complaint filed against Uthema that MPS filed due to lack of
evidence.
109. Regarding the Maldivian Democracy Network, the Government referred to its
response to a communication from special procedures mandate holders on the decision to
dissolve the organization.130 It noted further that MPS had carried out multiple investigations
on the allegations of threats and harassment faced by MDN members through social media
platforms, specifically against Ms. Shahindha Ismail, Executive Director of MDN. It added
that arrests were made, that some cases were forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office
for prosecution and that investigations are still ongoing. Regarding the freezing of MDN’s
bank accounts and transfer of funds, the Government noted that MDN was afforded 45 days
to settle any debts or claims over its assets and to provide information on this to the Ministry
of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment. However, according to the Government,
MDN failed to do so.
110. As for the Civil Court’s decision of 28 March 2023 in the case of Ms. Shahidha Ismail
against the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment, the Government noted
that the decision to dissolve MDN was reached after following due process as affirmed by
the Civil Court and added that Ms. Shahindha Ismail appealed the decision on 3 July 2023.
19.
Mexico
111. The case of Mr. Felipe Hinojo Alonso was included in the 2022, 2021 and 2020
reports of the Secretary-General131 on allegations of intimidation, threats, and surveillance for
his cooperation with the UN in the documentation of alleged violations, including torture, in
the state of Aguascalientes by the former General Prosecutor. According to information
received by OHCHR, Mr. Hinojo Alonso has continued to suffer intimidation, harassment
and (unwarranted) legal action during the reporting period. On 17 April 2023, the Federal
Prosecutor’s Office changed the charges against Mr. Hinojo Alonso from “inconsistencies in
his complaint” to “providing false evidence”, and related hearings were postponed several
times since May 2022. On 21 April 2023, a hearing took place, and the Federal Prosecutor
requested the judge to issue precautionary measures prohibiting Mr. Hinojo Alonso from
publicly voicing accusations against the former Prosecutor of the state of Aguascalientes.
The judge rejected the request for precautionary measures and the accusations. Mr. Hinojo
filed these complaints in connection with OHCHR-Mexico’s work in Aguascalientes,
investigating allegations of torture and ill-treatment. OHCHR-Mexico is closely monitoring
Mr. Hinojo’s situation and is in contact with relevant authorities.
20.
Nicaragua
112. During the period, a number of individuals and organizations whose cases were
previously included in reports of the Secretary-General were compelled to leave the country,
were stripped of their nationality and consequently of a broad range of their human rights,
130
131
GE.23-15378
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35112.
A/HRC/45/36, Annex I, para. 76; A/HRC/48/28, Annex II, para. 92; A/HRC/51/47 Annex II,
paras. 108 and 110.
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