A/HRC/42/30 31. Tunisia 98. In January 2019, the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), which monitors attacks against journalists, was subject to online harassment for promoting the use of the United Nations special procedures. On 29 January 2019, the SNJT issued a public statement calling on the Tunisian authorities to ensure protection of journalists and accountability through immediate investigation of increasing attacks against them. The SNJT stated that in case the authorities did not respond promptly, it would alert the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. On 30 January 2019, a leader of the Tunisian regional security forces syndicate published the SNJT press release on its official Facebook page stating “The Traitors have no place between us. Back to hell and those who have problems with the Ministry of Interior should go away outside Tunisia with the United Nations.” 99. Following the statement, a complaint was submitted to investigate and prosecute those responsible within the security forces on the bases of the Press Code. The case is being investigated and the security forces leader is being prosecuted for incitement to murder, per article 51 of the Decree-law number 2011-115 (revised Tunisian Press Code). As of June 2019, no judgement had yet been pronounced. 32. Turkmenistan 100. On 27 November 2018, two special procedures mandate holders addressed alleged reprisals against Ms. Daria Atdaeva, Russian national, and her husband, Mr. Annamurad Nurmukhammedovich Atdaev, for cooperation with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (TKM 2/2018, A/HRC/40/60/Add.1, paras. 548, 551). On 27 April 2017, the Working Group transmitted, under its urgent action procedure, a case to the Government concerning Mr. Atdaev, allegedly disappeared in late January 2017 from the penal colony in Tedzhen, Ahal Province (A/HRC/WGEID/112/1, para. 99). According to the information received, Mr. Atdaev was sentenced by a court in Ashgabat city on 13 December 2016 and is currently being detained at an unknown location. Ms. Daria Atdaeva filed a complaint with the Working Group in April 2017, and has since maintained contact with the Working Group in order to clarify the fate and whereabouts of her husband. 101. In July 2018, after a first denial of visa, Ms. Atdaeva was authorized to visit her husband. However, on 21 September 2018, the Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan sent Ms. Atdaeva a letter stating that her husband was denied visitation rights because he violated internal rules of the penitentiary facility. This letter was sent one week after Ms. Atdaeva met with the Working Group in Geneva, and after she spoke about her husband’s case at a public side event at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 102. On 25 June 2019 the Government responded to the allegations, stating that Ms. Atdaeva does not have any restrictions on entry into and exit from Turkmenistan. It noted that Mr. Atdaev was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in Ashgabat on 6 March 2017 for violating the Criminal Code, including conspiracy to seize power, appeals for a violent change of the constitutional order, incitement of social, national or religious hatred, creation of an organized group, and criminal community and other criminal structures or participation in their activities. He is currently in the correctional colony AH/E-2 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and has had five short visits with his close relatives. 33. United Arab Emirates 103. It was reported that Mr. Ahmad Ali Mekkaoui, a Lebanese citizen, faced reprisals after his detention was found arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (A/HRC/WGAD/2017/47, paras. 23, 34) during its August 2017 session. Mr. Mekkaoui had been arrested on 13 October 2014 and reportedly detained in secret detention and in solitary confinement for seven months, during which he was severely tortured and sustained injuries requiring five surgeries. On 4 December 2016, Mr. Mekkaoui was sentenced to 15 years in prison based on confessions extracted under torture. On 5 December 2018, the GE.19-15332 39