A/HRC/36/31 69. On 13 December 2016, several mandate holders raised concerns over allegations of reprisals against Mr. Al-Hamid for cooperating with the United Nations on human rights (see A/HRC/35/44, para. 12, SAU 8/2016). In its reply dated 13 February 2017, the Government did not address the case of Mr. Al-Hamid, as a response concerning his case had been provided already in relation to a previous communication (SAU 4/2016) in which the Government informed that he was sentenced by a lower court to nine years of imprisonment and a ban to travel outside the Kingdom for a similar period. He was being charged for: his involvement in the establishment of an unlicensed association; non-compliance with the court order to dissolve it; stirring up public opinion; explicitly defaming the faith and loyalty of the members of the Council of Senior Scholars; disparaging the judiciary; and committing offences that undermine national security. The Government did not address the allegations relating to reprisals in either of its responses. 20. South Sudan 70. In the special report of the Secretary-General on the review of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (S/2016/951), the Secretary-General stressed that United Nations human rights officers face limited access to affected areas to corroborate information or interview witnesses and victims for many reasons, including restrictions imposed by government authorities, security considerations for staff members and increasing threats of reprisal against witnesses, victims and sources, which raised the need to ensure their protection. 71. During his visit to South Sudan in February 2017,g the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights met with a number of Government authorities, including cabinet ministers and heads of security forces, to whom he stressed the absolute need to avoid reprisals and threats against human rights defenders who have cooperated with the United Nations. He addressed specific cases of individuals cooperating with UNMISS and with United Nations entities abroad, including those cases in which individuals were forced to leave South Sudan due to intimidation and threats. In this connection, he drew attention to a specific incident in September 2016 in which human rights defenders were threatened following their meeting with members of the Security Council during their visit to South Sudan. He further addressed the situation of reprisals to the Government in writing in July 2017. 21. Sri Lanka 72. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in his address to the Human Rights Council on 22 March 2017, stressed that he was disturbed to hear reports of intimidation of members of Sri Lankan civil society in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. He referred the case to the Assistant Secretary-General. He also stated that he trusted that the President of the Council will give these cases close attention. In his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/34/20), the High Commissioner stressed that reports of harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders and victims of violations had continued in sri Lanka, albeit to a lesser degree. In its response at the Human Rights Council on 22 March 2017, Sri Lanka stated that it remained firm in its resolve to enhance the fundamental rights of all citizens as equals in a free and democratic country, where fear and intimidation have no place. 73. Special procedure mandate holders have also addressed the allegations of reprisals and intimidation against S. Ganeshnantham and other members of the civil society organization Pupil Salvation Forum relating to their participation in the thirty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva (see A/HRC/36/25, LKA 1/2017). 74. On 7 and 9 March 2017, Mr. Ganeshnantham addressed the Human Rights Council and referred to the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka. On 11 March 2017, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department attached to the Kalmunai Police station, in Sri g 28 OHCHR, “South Sudan: Senior UN human rights official condemns deplorable rights situation, calls for perpetrators to be held to account,” 17 February 2017.