A/HRC/27/38 8. Kenya 26. In early July 2013, police officers requested over 20 families of persons who had disappeared in the context of a joint operation by the military and police known as “Okoa Maisha” against the Sabaot Land Defence Force in March and April 2008, in the Mount Elgon District of Kenya, to report to the police station. The police allegedly questioned the families about their engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms in Geneva, and compelled them to sign written statements, the contents of which they were not allowed to read. On 5 July 2013, a local NGO issued a press release calling for investigations into the reported harassment and for protection of the families. Subsequently, several members of the NGO were subjected to harassment by and threats from the police. Some of the military personnel who were allegedly responsible for the disappearances were reported to have been redeployed to the area, causing families of victims to feel intimidated. Following those events, at least 28 families reportedly left their houses for fear of reprisals.34 At the time of finalization of the present report, no reply had been received from the Government of Kenya to a joint communication sent on 31 July 2013 by a group of special procedures mandate holders. 27. On 17 September 2013, in Bungoma in the Western Province of Kenya, Peter Wanyama Wanyonyi, a human rights lawyer, was shot dead by unknown gunmen as he was returning home from a meeting. Mr. Wanyonyi had reportedly been assisting with documenting the above-mentioned cases of enforced disappearance, a number of which were transmitted to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.35 At the time of finalization of the present report, no reply had been received from the Government to a joint communication sent on 26 September 2013 by a group of special procedures mandate holders. 9. Malaysia 28. On 22 January 2014, four special procedures mandate holders raised allegations of reprisals against the Coalition of Malaysian Non-Governmental Organizations (COMANGO), which had made submissions for the universal periodic review of Malaysia.36 Following the launch of an online forum entitled “Facing the threat of liberalism and Shi’ites” on 2 October 2013, COMANGO began to receive threats daily, including from government officials. In November 2013, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia allegedly distributed 70,000 leaflets on the “masterminds” behind COMANGO which included their images, and announced that it would launch a nationwide campaign against them. On 20 November 2013, the Minister for Islamic Affairs stated in an opening speech at the Forum on Universal Fundamental Rights that human rights as espoused by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights might cause discordance in the society. On 8 January 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a press statement declaring COMANGO illegal. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through her spokesperson, expressed concern about what “appears to be an act of reprisal”37 and called upon the Government to ensure that civil society can conduct its legitimate activities without intimidation or harassment. At the time of finalization of the present report, no reply had been received from the Government. 34 35 36 37 10 A/HRC/25/74, case KEN 3/2013. A/HRC/25/74, case KEN 5/2013. A/HRC/26/21, case MYS 1/2014. OHCHR press briefing notes on South Sudan, Malaysia and Myanmar, 10 January 2014.