A/HRC/39/41 66. On 20 June 2017, Mr. Michel Forst, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders expressed his concern about reports of reprisals against a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, Mr. Kartik Murukutla (IND 4/2017). Mr. Murukutla represents victims of human rights violations before local courts and engages with United Nations human rights mechanisms, particularly the universal periodic review and the special procedures. In September 2016, while traveling to Geneva, Mr. Murukutla was informed that he was subject to a “Look Out Circular,” a measure taken where a case has been registered against an individual by a police authority in order to verify whether a travelling person is wanted by the police. They are used by the police authorities to prevent and monitor the entry or exit of persons who may be required by law enforcement agencies, and there is concern that this measure was taken against Mr. Murukutla as a reprisal for his cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms in Geneva. It was reported in May 2018 Mr. Murukutla was not subject to restrictions during his most recent travels, but he had not been informed about the status of the Look Out Circular nor its implications for his future travel. 67. On 7 June 2018 the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights addressed the allegations of intimidation and reprisals to the Government of India. On 2 July 2018 the Government responded that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 2010 prohibits acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution for activities detrimental to national interest. It noted that the revocation of the license for the Centre for Promotion of Social Concern before the Delhi High Court, is adjourned until 31 August 2018, and that the Centre for Social Development “needs to conform to the legal framework and the requirements under FCRA.” The Government noted that Mr. Khurram Parvez’s detention is well grounded according to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (1978) based on his activities prejudicial to public order. At the time of writing, the Government had not responded to the communications by special procedures of 9 November 2017 (OTH 2/2017), 20 June 2017 (IND 4/2017), or 31 May 2018 (IND 14/2018). 14. Israel 68. In May 2018, the Minister of the Interior in Israel did not renew the work permit of the Director of Human Rights Watch, Mr. Omar Shakir, and ordered his deportation. Mr Shakir remains in the country, as the order is under review by a district court. According to information received, the revocation was based on a dossier compiled by the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy alleging that Mr. Shakir supports a boycott of Israel. Among the allegations cited are statements by Mr. Shakir supporting the creation of a database of businesses that operate in Israeli settlements, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 31/36. The Government highlighted this allegation in its 77-page response to a lawsuit filed by Mr. Shakir and Human Rights Watch challenging the deportation decision. An amicus brief filed by the group NGO Monitor and accepted by the court also points to social media posts highlighting Human Rights Watch’s support for the database and their more general advocacy at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The allegations were discussed at a first court hearing in June 2018. 15. Kyrgyzstan 69. On 25 June 2018 the Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW) addressed the Government regarding the designation as extremist material of a submission by civil society organizations Anti-Discrimination Centre Memorial and Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan. The decision came from the Oktyabrsky District Court in Bishkek following their submission of an alternative report to the Committee ahead of its review of Kyrgyzstan in April 2015. The report addressed the obligations of the Government to protect the rights of Kyrgyz migrant workers. 70. In May 2018 during a visit to Kyrgystan the Assistant-Secretary General raised the allegations with the Government. 16. Maldives 71. On 20 April 2018, four special procedures mandate holders raised concerns about the launching of investigations against Ms. Shahindha Ismail, of the Maldivian Democracy Network, for the legitimate exercise of her freedom of expression on Twitter and for having GE.18-13325 29