A/HRC/42/30
37.
Yemen
124. On 25 June 2018 three special procedures mandate holders addressed the situation of
Mr. Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih and Ms. Radhia Al-Mutawake of the Mwatana Organization
for Human Rights, including reported arbitrary detention during attempts to fly from Seiyun
airport, in apparent reprisal for their cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms (YEM
4/2018 and SAU 8/2018). These restrictions occurred after Ms. Al-Mutawakel was the first
Yemeni woman to brief the UN Security Council, and Mr. Al-Faqih actively participated in
Human Rights Council sessions in 2017. On 14 June 2018, Mr. Al-Faqih was on his way to
Say’un airport when he was detained and interrogated at Bab Al-Falaj checkpoint (Marib)
by individuals believed to be members of forces loyal to the Government wearing Central
Security Forces uniforms, who confiscated his passport and cell phone and took him to the
security headquarters in Marib. He was unable to contact anybody for several hours and his
location remained unconfirmed until his release later that afternoon. This incident
prevented him from travelling abroad. On 18 June 2018, Mr. Al-Faqih and Ms. AlMutawakel were prevented from travelling again when they were detained at Seiyun airport
by military police reportedly of the Saudi-led coalition, and their passports confiscated
(YEM 4/2018 and SAU 8/2018). Mr. Al-Faqih has reportedly been able to return to Yemen
but Ms. Al-Mutawakel remains at risk due to her advocacy work.
38.
State of Palestine
125. In the West Bank, from July to October 2018, several detainees reported to OHCHR
having faced reprisals after participating in interviews with staff from the OHCHR office in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory who documented cases of cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment that may amount to torture in Palestinian detention centres. In three cases
detainees declined to speak to OHCHR, and others expressed fear of revealing details
regarding their treatment due to fear of reprisals. OHCHR has raised these concerns with
the relevant authorities.
42