A/HRC/48/28 6/2017; 4/2018).274 In 2019 and 2020, OHCHR received reports of alleged ill-treatment and a serious deterioration of Mr. Truyen’s health and lack of adequate medical attention. In July 2020, the Government refuted allegations of his deteriorating health situation and lack of proper medical examination, and explained that restrictions for those in detention, including on family visits, were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, para. 148). 153. According to information provided to OHCHR, Mr. Truyen continues to serve his 11year prison sentence in An Dien prison 1,600 km away from his hometown despite repeated requests to be transferred closer to his home, including during the reporting period. From 20 November to mid-December 2020, Mr. Truyen’s went on a hunger strike to protest his detention conditions, including lack of access to medical care and confiscation of letters to his family. During the reporting period, his wife, Ms. Bui Thi Kim Phoung (see Annex I), and other relatives have reportedly been subject to increased surveillance, harassment, and pressure by the police. 154. On 12 August 2021, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report. Regarding allegations that Ms. Thao and Ms. Ha were under surveillance or regularly monitored by the police, the Government indicated that they are inaccurate and reiterated its position of promoting the right of freedom of movement of its people. Regarding the case of Mr. Nguyen Bac Truyen, the Government rejected the allegations as fabricated and distorted information and denied that he was prosecuted due to his human rights activities. The Government informed that Mr. Truyen is now serving his sentence in An Diem prison, Quang Nam province, in normal health conditions and has access to healthcare, medical examination, food, and clothes. On the claim that Mr. Truyen went on a hunger strike, the Government stated that it is inaccurate, indicating that he refuses food from the detention facility and receives and consumes food from his family. 28. Yemen 155. The case of Mr. Akram al-Shawafi and his co-workers at Watch for Human Rights was included in the 2020 report of the Secretary General275 in relation to the organization’s engagement with the Group of Experts and the Security Council Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts on Yemen. The organization has been documenting violations in Ta’izz Governorate since 2015. As of May 2021, the organization’s office continues to be closed since it was raided in October 2019 by Government forces, and the organization reportedly continues to face intimidation on social media by security personnel supporting the Government. Mr. al-Shawafi has been accused of collaborating with international bodies, offending the Yemeni military, being biased and paid by the Houthis. 156. Despite the organization’s office closure, Mr. al-Shawafi and his colleagues continued to submit cases to the GEE during the reporting period regarding violations against children, women, and civilians committed by parties to the conflict in Yemen. Two additional persons affiliated with Watch for Human Rights have allegedly also been targeted during the reporting period for UN cooperation (names withheld for fear of further reprisals). 157. The first, a female lawyer, received death threats on 28 September 2020 after sharing information with OHCHR about the alleged rape of a minor by multiple individuals. The threats allegedly came from a soldier affiliated with Central Security in Ta’izz who reportedly facilitated the escape of the alleged perpetrators who were due to appear in court. On 5 October 2020, after the Ta’izz Bar Association made a complaint on behalf of the lawyer to the Appeals Prosecution Office, three armed individuals apprehended the lawyer, threatened her with death and ordered her not to follow up the case. When she subsequently filed a complaint with the police on 10 January 2021, four gunmen later allegedly sent by a senior 274 275 82 https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=32016; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=32686; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33363; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33851; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34355. A/HRC/45/36, para. 127, Annex I, paras. 157–158.