A/HRC/57/60 17. Turkmenistan 105. On 11 January 2024, mandate holders addressed allegations of undue restrictions of the freedom of movement of Ms. Gurban Soltan Achilova, a freelance photojournalist and woman human rights defender, that prevented her travel to Geneva and her engagement with representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (TKM 1/2023). 106. Ms. Achilova was invited to participate in the Human Rights Week, organised by the University of Geneva and civil society from 20–24 November 2023. On 5 November 2023, one of the organizers sent a letter to the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan in Geneva seeking the authorities’ assistance in facilitating Ms. Achilova’s safe passage to Geneva (TKM 1/2023). 107. On 18 November 2023, Ms. Achilova and her daughter were stopped at Ashgabat airport en route to Geneva but were not able to travel. The customs authorities allegedly wet their passports with a cloth and then declared that they could not be used as they were ruined. (TKM 1/2023). 108. Mandate holders noted that they believed this incident to be linked to Ms. Achilova’s work and cooperation with international human rights actors, in particular the United Nations. They also noted the chilling effect on all those wishing to engage in human rights work, including cooperation with the United Nations (TKM 1/2023). 109. On 6 February 2024, the Government responded44 to mandate holders, informing that it had approved a new type of biometric passport in 2023. Regarding the failed departure of Ms. G. Achilova and her daughter, the Government noted that, following several failed attempts to read their passports, it was found that they could not leave the country because the documents were defective. The Government informed that Ms. Achilova and her daughter will be able to leave the country without hindrance if they present biometric passports that are in proper condition. 110. On 2 February 2024, during the review of the sixth periodic report of Turkmenistan, the Committee on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women noted Ms. Achilova’s failed attempt to travel to Geneva and asked the delegation to comment on her case. The delegation responded that Ms. Achilova had been stopped at passport control because her passport was unreadable. The delegation noted that, like any other citizen, Ms. Achilova had the right to apply for a new passport and to travel wherever she wished. (CEDAW/C/SR/2038, paras. 53–59). 111. According to information received by OHCHR, Ms. Achilova received a new biometric passport on 1 April 2024. 112. On 21 June 2024, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report informing that a new passport was issued to Ms. Achilova, as a Turkmenistan citizen, for departure from and entry into the country. The Government noted that the right of a citizen to leave the country may be restricted under article 30 of the Migration Act, without prejudice to the principle of freedom of movement, solely on the basis of necessity, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that is, solely for the protection of national, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others. The Government further noted that, at the same time, the application of restrictions under article 30 of the Migration Act is based on clear criteria necessary for the protection of persons and is proportionate to the protected security interests of persons and the State as a whole. 18. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 113. In its 2023 report, the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela reported allegations of reprisals since 2021 against Mr. Franklin Caldera Cordero due to his cooperation with United Nations human rights representatives and mechanisms on the 44 GE.24-14259 See Government reply at https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=38118. 33