A/HRC/57/60 rather that the prosecution had been unable to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 21. Russian Federation 154. References to the alleged impact of the arbitrary application of restrictive legislation,160 in particular laws on “foreign agents” or “undesirable organizations”, on the willingness and ability of civil society actors to engage with international bodies, including with the United Nations, have been included in the reports of the Secretary-General since 2019 and, prior to that, in 2013, 2014, and 2015. 161 Multiple United Nations actors have expressed concerns on several occasions over restrictive legislative developments and the impact of the long-term application of the aforementioned legislation. 162 155. In her 2023 report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation addressed the impact and new developments concerning restrictive legislation targeting civil society (A/HRC/54/54, paras. 19–31). She addressed the inclusion of Human Rights House Foundation along with several other international non-governmental organizations in the list of the so-called “undesirable organizations’ during the reporting period, (para. 29, see also Annex I). The Special Rapporteur noted with concern that the definition of “foreign influence” in the Foreign Agents Law,163 could potentially include any engagement with foreign nationals or entities, including the United Nations (para. 21). She highlighted that at the end of July 2023 at least 103 organizations had been included in the list of “undesirable organizations” and 649 in the register of “foreign agents” (para. 22). The Special Rapporteur further addressed the June 2023 draft amendments to the “Law on undesirable Organizations” which, in her view, would further restrict and isolate Russian civil society (para. 31). 22. Saudi Arabia 156. The case of Mr. Mohammad Fahad Al Qahtani, of the Saudi Association for Civil and Political Rights (ACRPA), has been included in the 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 reports of the Secretary-General 164 on allegations of interrogation, travel ban and sentencing to 10 years of imprisonment for providing false information to outside sources, including UN human rights mechanisms. Special procedures mandate holders have addressed his situation repeatedly with the relevant authorities, including raising allegations of acts of reprisals for his cooperation with the United Nations, ill treatment, and lack of contact with his family while in prison, to which the Government responded, confirming new criminal charges and his detention.165 According to information received by OHCHR, in May 2023, six months after his 10-yer prison term ended, Mr. Al Qahtani was tried in secret by the State 160 161 162 163 164 165 GE.24-14259 These included the N 121-FZ Foreign Agent Law for Non-Commercial Organizations, adopted in July 2012 and amended in June 2016 (N 147-FZ and N 179-FZ) and several pieces of federal legislation signed into effect on 30 December 2020 as well as Federal Law No. 538-FC, which introduced a five-year prison sentence for libel, and Federal Law No. 525-FZ which introduced criminal liability for malicious violation of the duties of a “foreign agent” with a penalty of up to five years in prison. On 5 April 2021, Bills No.1052327-7 and 105895-7 were adopted and published introducing amendments and penalties for non-compliance with the norms mentioned above. A/HRC/24/29, paras. 29–31; A/HRC/27/38, para. 43; A/HRC/30/29, Annex II para. 3; A/HRC/42/30, Annex II, para. 88; A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, paras. 105–107; A/HRC/48/28 Annex II, paras. 111– 114; A/HRC/51/47, Annex II, paras. 126–127. OL RUS/16/2022; CCPR/C/RUS/CO/8, para. 30 (c), 32). CERD/C/RUS/CO/25-26, paras. 18 and 19; A/HRC/50/23, para. 26; https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/russia-un-expertscondemn-civil-society-shutdown. Federal Law No. 121-FZ of 20 July 2012. A/HRC/21/18, paras. 35–37; A/HRC/24/29, para. 42; A/HRC/42/30, Annex II, para. 92; A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, para. 114; A/HRC/48/28, Annex II, paras. 119–120, A/HRC/54/61, Annex II, paras. 130–131. SAU 13/2021, SAU 12/2017, SAU 4/2016, SAU 11/2014, SAU 5/2013, SAU 8/2013, SAU 7/2012, SAU 10/2022. See government reply at https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37348. 63