A/HRC/60/62
Government further stated that the judicial system upholds fair trial guarantees and
emphasized that arrests are carried out based on credible evidence, reasonable suspicion and
valid warrants, with detainees promptly informed of the charges against them.
21.
Regarding Mr. Alkhawaja, the Government stated that video calls with his family had
been reinstated, noting that their earlier suspension had been part of a general procedural
measure applied across all detention facilities, and that while calls may be paused
occasionally due to technical or logistical reasons, they are promptly resumed. The
Government noted further that Mr. Alkhawaja’s medical condition is regularly monitored by
medical professionals, with records indicating 20 external medical appointments, and
52 internal clinic visits, and 97 video calls between May 2024 and May 2025. In cases of
hunger strikes, including Mr. Alkhawaya’s, detainees receive continuous medical
supervision and are advised to end their hunger strikes for health reasons.
22.
Regarding Mr. Al-Singace and Mr. Mushaima, the Government noted they are held
in a private room at Kanoo Medical Center, where they receive medical care by qualified
medical personnel. The Government further reported that Mr. Al-Singace has access to
restroom facilities and natural light, takes his prescribed medication, receives ongoing
medical care, and has declined certain scheduled outpatient appointments for further
evaluations.
3.
Bangladesh
23.
The case of human rights organization Odhikar, as well as Mr. Adilur Rahman
Khan and Mr. Nasiruddin Elan, Secretary and Director of Odhikar, was included in the
2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 reports of the Secretary-General 17 after
allegedly being accused of anti-State and anti-Government activities following their
engagement in the first cycle of the UPR of Bangladesh in 2009. The detention and charges
against Odhikar staff as well as threats, harassment, surveillance, and the killing of one of its
staff have been addressed by special procedures mandates holders since 2013.2 On
16 October 2024, they were released on bail, remained under close surveillance and faced
regular intimidation and harassment. Odhikar’s bank account was frozen under the Foreign
Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulations Bill of 2016 and in June 2022 its application
for renewal of registration was not approved by the Government.3
24.
According to information received by OHCHR, on 22 August 2024, the High Court
Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh declared the government’s refusal to renew the
registration of the human rights organization Odhikar illegal. The ruling overturned the NGO
Affairs Bureau’s 2022 decision to cancel Odhikar’s registration, which had been pending
renewal since its expiration in 2015. The Court’s verdict allowed Odhikar to seek registration
renewal and resume receiving foreign donations. On 5 June 2025, the High Court of
Bangladesh dismissed the convictions of Mr. Adilur Rahman Kan and Mr. Nasiruddin Elan,
overturning the two-year prison sentences handed down by the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal in
September 2023, which had found them guilty under the Information and communication
Technology Act for publishing a fact-finding report on alleged extrajudicial killings during
a 2013 protest.
4.
Belarus
25.
The case of Mr. Aliaksandr Yarashuk was included in the 2023 and 2024 report of
the Secretary-General18 on allegations of arbitrary detention, charges and sentencing under
article 342 of the Criminal Code (disrupting social order), including for his submission of
information to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Mr. Yarashuk is a Chair of the
now outlawed Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) and a member of
17
A/HRC/18/19, paras. 25–26; A/HRC/42/30, para. 40 and Annex II, paras. 11–12; 10–11;
A/HRC/45/36, para. 47 and Annex II, paras. 8–9; A/HRC/48/28, Annex II paras.; A/HRC/51/47;
Annex II, paras. 17–21, A/HRC/54/61; Annex II, paras. 15–19; A/HRC/57/60;Annex II, paras. 22-25.
18 A/HRC/54/61, Annex I paras.
48