A/HRC/57/60 22. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders conducted an official country visit to Algeria from 25 November to 3 December 2023. At the end of her visit, she noted that some human rights defenders she had planned to meet with refused or cancelled for fear of reprisals. The Special Rapporteur also noted that several human rights defenders, members of civil society organisations and victims of human rights violations reported being prevented by the police from reaching Tizi Ouzou while she was there.10 23. Mandate holders addressed article 95 bis and other articles of the Penal Code and Ordinance 21-09 on data and administrative documents protection (DZA 12/2021) noting that the particularly vague wording of article 95 bis granted the authorities considerable discretionary power to prosecute human rights defenders and other activists receiving foreign funding. They also noted that this measure constituted an obstacle to international cooperation between associations or with other foreign organizations. On 2 March 2022, the Algerian Government replied to mandate-holders noting that Ordinance 21-09 was adopted in accordance with the Constitution, that it is not contrary to Algeria’s international obligations, and that it does not infringe upon any human right. 24. On 17 July the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report noting that the allegations that the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders had not been able to meet with some activists during her official visit to the country due to their fear of reprisals were vague, unjustified, and not substantiated. The Government considered that such allegations also contradicted the fact that the two mandate holders who conducted an official visit to Algeria in 2023 had been able to meet freely with civil society activists and opposition members and the public authorities had not taken any measures against them. The Government also clarified that the trial of Mr. Manesri Mohamed was ongoing before the criminal chamber of the Tiaret Court of Justice and that the hearing had been postponed until 10 July 2024. 3. Bangladesh 25. During the reporting period, in particular between November and December 2023, some thirty-eight human rights defenders, political activists, and media personnel, including youth, reportedly received calls from security agencies after visiting the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office or after meeting with United Nations officials in public places. These calls allegedly focused on the content of the discussions with the United Nations officials. In some instances, security agents allegedly made threats in order to obtain information on such content and to warn against collaboration with foreigners. In other instances, civil society actors declined to meet with United Nations officials or to speak in public events where the United Nations had a speaking role due to fear of reprisals. 26. Several of these civil society actors reportedly decided to discontinue visible interaction with the United Nations, especially during the pre-electoral period (October 2023 and January 2024) before the national elections of 2024, due to fear of increased reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations. Others resorted to self-censorship and either stopped attending meetings with United Nations officials, and/or stopped making references to United Nations human rights standards. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of reprisals for their cooperation with the United Nations. 4. Central African Republic 27. During the reporting period, the Human Rights Division of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) documented threats by the national security forces, non-state armed groups and other security personnel against individuals, including human rights defenders and members of the population, due to their cooperation or perceived cooperation with the MINUSCA. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals. 10 GE.24-14259 20231205-eom-algeria-sr-defenders-en.pdf (ohchr.org). 21