A/HRC/39/41 an unfair and arbitrary punishment of a human rights lawyer and defender, whose only crime was to exercise his rights to free speech and to defend human rights.” 3 They had previously expressed concern that his confession may have been coerced by the use of torture. On 23 March 2018, five special procedures mandate holders issued another statement regarding Mr. Jiang’s deteriorating health conditions while in detention and called on the authorities to give him urgent medical attention. 4 The Government in its response to the special procedures’ communications of 2 December 2016 (CHN 13/2016) and 28 December 2016 (CHN 15/2016) respectively stated that Mr. Jiang had been charged with illegal possession of classified State documents with the intention of illegally transmitting State secrets abroad. It further noted that he has also received long-term funding and support from abroad and has identified himself as a “citizen agent,” interfering in several sensitive cases. The Government noted that he fabricated and disseminated rumours online, incited petitioners of the Government and the family members of persons involved in the cases to oppose State authorities, interfered with the administration of justice, and disturbed public order. The Government stated that Mr. Jiang has admitted to committing offences. The Government did not address the allegations of reprisals. 5. Egypt 17. It was reported in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General that on 3 May 2017, four special procedures mandate holders expressed concerns about the abduction, detention, torture and ill-treatment of Dr. Ahmed Shawky Abdelsattar Mohamed Amasha (see A/HRC/36/31, para. 39), reportedly in retaliation for his human rights work documenting cases of enforced disappearances for the special procedures (A/HRC/36/25, EGY 5/2017). On 10 March 2017, Dr. Amasha was allegedly abducted by police officers in Cairo, and no information was given about his whereabouts until 1 April 2017. He was charged on 13 April 2017 with “belonging to a banned group” under the Anti-Terrorism Law of Egypt and transferred to the Tora prison of Cairo. It was alleged that following his abduction on 10 March 2017, he was secretly detained at the Central Police station of Abbasiya in the Cairo Governorate and subjected to torture and ill-treatment. On 27 April 2017, his detention was prolonged. There are serious concerns that the acts committed against Dr. Amasha constitute acts of reprisals against him for documenting cases of enforced disappearances for the special procedures (see A/HRC/39/31, para. 39). 18. During its eightieth session in November 2017, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention rendered its opinion that the detention of Mr. Amasha and other individuals was arbitrary, and requested the Government of Egypt to ensure his and others’ immediate release and to take steps to remedy their situation, including, by according them an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations. The Working Group also referred the case to the Coordinating Committee of the Special Procedures and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights (see A/HRC/WGAD/2017/78, paras. 89-93). 19. The 2017 report of the Secretary-General addressed allegations of reprisals against civil society members in the form of asset freezes (see A/HRC/32/52/Add.1, para. 662 and A/HRC/36/31, para. 30). Staff members of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and members of their families are alleged to have been targeted for their cooperation with United Nations mechanisms and their meetings with United Nations representatives, and are being subject to asset freezes. Mr. Mohamed Zaree, who has been banned from travelling outside Egypt in relation to this legislation (case 173/2011), was interrogated on 24 May 2017 by a judge as part of the ongoing prosecution of the foreign funding case, and has reportedly been accused of submitting information to the United Nations. He had also been accused of intending to harm Egypt through his role in preparing for the universal periodic review in 2014. Reportedly, Mr. Zaree was questioned for allegedly receiving foreign funds for an unregistered entity (CIHRS) and using them for unlawful activities with the intent of harming national security and interests. In May 2017 the judge pressed three charges, including two felonies, and set his bail at 30,000 Egyptian 3 4 GE.18-13325 OHCHR, “China: UN experts condemn jailing of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong,” 23 November 2017. OHCHR, “China: UN experts concerned about health of jailed rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong,” 23 March 2018. 43