A/HRC/39/41 105. It was reported that in August 2017, Ms. Sirikan Charoensiri, of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, was charged with the offences of giving false information regarding a criminal offence. Four special procedures mandate holders had raised concerns on 11 April 2017 that the charges she received, sedition and gathering five or more people for political purposes under the criminal code, may be directly linked to her cooperation with the United Nations, particularly her participation in the thirty-third session of the Human Rights Council in September 2016 (THA 2/2017). It is reported that, if found guilty, she could face up to 15 years in jail and could be tried in a military court for a sedition charge. 106. Ms. Charoensiri also participated in the March 2017 session of the Human Rights Committee, where she publicized her legal advocacy efforts. She had represented 14 student activists arrested by the Thai authorities for their alleged participation in peaceful protests in June 2015, following the military coup in May 2014. She is also engaged in awareness-raising on law and human rights issues related to the enforcement of martial law and the orders of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). In February 2016, Ms. Charoensiri had been charged with the offences of refusing to comply with the order of an official and concealing of evidence and, in September 2016, upon return from the Human Rights Council, she was further charged under the National Council for Peace and Order and with sedition. The Government responded on 10 August 2017 to the special procedures' communication of 11 April 2017, stating that Ms. Charoensiri was not charged due to her capacity as a lawyer or human rights defender, but on the basis of the possibility of her being one of the principals or accomplices in committing alleged offenses under article 12 of the NCPO Order No. 3/2015 and article 16 of the Criminal Code. 107. During his visit to Thailand in March 2018, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights addressed allegations of intimidation and reprisals to the Government, and wrote a follow up letter on 27 April 2018. At the time of writing no response had been received from the Government. 26. Trinidad and Tobago 108. On 21 July 2017, three special procedures mandate holders raised concerns about the deprivation of liberty of Mr. Zaheer Seepersad in St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital and other patients living with a psychosocial disability (TTO 2/2017). Mr. Seepersad was born in 1987 with dystonia, a physical impairment due to a neurological movement disorder. On 20 November 2017, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued Opinion No. 68/2017 concluding that the detention and subsequent internment of Mr. Seepersad in St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital on 8 January 2015 for a period of two months, and on 4 May 2016 for 16 days, were arbitrary without any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty, and was made purely on the basis of his physical impairment, constituting a violation of international law on the grounds of discrimination based on disability (see A/HRC/WGAD/2017/68, paras. 34-35). 109. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention expressed its most serious concern at allegations of reprisals, such as persistent harassment, intimidation and threats which Mr. Seepersad has been subjected to, for bringing his claims to their attention. The Working Group requested the Government to ensure that all acts of intimidation against Mr. Seepersad cease and that an impartial and effective investigation is carried out in relation to such acts and those responsible brought to justice. The Working Group recommended that the Government remedy the situation and provide compensation to Mr. Seepersad, and referred the case for further action to the focal point on reprisals of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures and to the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights (see A/HRC/WGAD/2017/68, paras. 34-35, 37-39, 41). 110. On 6 September 2017, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention transmitted the allegations to the Government under its regular communications procedure. The Working Group did not receive a response from the Government nor request for an extension of the time limit for its reply. It is reported that Mr. Seepersad still remains under pressure to dissuade him from engaging with regional or United Nations mechanisms to seek a legal remedy. GE.18-13325 39