A/HRC/54/61 approve its application. On 7 March 2023 the Writ Petition was reportedly added to the daily list of the High Court Division for fixing the date of a hearing before the High Court bench. 18. On 15 June 2022, according to information received by OHCHR, the 2013 case against Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan and Mr. Nasiruddin Elan under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, was re-opened for investigation to allow further evidence upon request by the State Prosecution.25 Furthermore, during the visit of the High Commissioner, a film portraying Odikhar as an organization spreading misinformation and causing riots was screened to United Nations representatives by State officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 19. In its 2022 annual report, the Working Group on Enforced of Involuntary Disappearances (A/HRC/51/31) emphasized that the Government of Bangladesh must ensure that relatives of disappeared persons and human rights defenders and civil society organizations working on their behalf are protected from any threat, intimidation or reprisal and expressed particular concern about the Government’s decision not to renew the registration of Odhikar. 4. Belarus 20. The case of the NGO Human Rights Centre Viasna, a human rights organization providing legal aid in Belarus, was included in the 2021 and 2022 reports of the SecretaryGeneral26 on allegations of raids, arbitrary arrest, and criminal charges in connection with cooperation with the United Nations. Special Procedures mandate holders addressed the situation of Viasna staff and the persecution of the NGO Viasna on several occasions, 27 noting that the latest arrests and criminal prosecutions unfolded in the context of the adoption of the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution 47/19 on the situation of human rights in Belarus, and the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus on 13 July 2021 (BLR 8/2021).28 21. Between October 2022 and March 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,29 his Spokesperson,30 and special procedures mandate holders31 addressed the arrest, charges, due process shortcomings, and lengthy sentences of several representatives of Viasna, of which six are currently in prison and at least seven more have suspect status in the criminal case against Viasna, but are not in detention (BLR 1/2023). On 19 May 2023, the Government responded32 providing details on the investigation and conviction. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals. 22. On 20 July 2023, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report listing nine different decisions of various national courts that recognized documents of the “unregistered human rights center Viasna” as extremist materials between 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 GE.23-15378 See government reply at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37393 p. 2. A/HRC/51/47, Annex II paras. 23–24; A/HRC/48/28, Annex I, para. 2. BLR 1/2010; BLR 2/2011; BLR 7/2011; BLR 9/2011; BLR 2/2012; BLR 3/2012; BLR 1/2013; BLR 1/2019; BLR 2/2019. See Government replies at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=31683; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=31386; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=31263; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=32592; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34577; https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34679. https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36641. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/belarus-must-end-systematic-repression-releasedetainees-un-human-rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2023/01/grave-concern-trials-belarus. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/10/un-experts-call-immediate-release-jailed-nobelwinner-and-other-rights; https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/belarus-verdict-againstnobel-laureate-ales-bialiatski-effort-quash-scrutiny. https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37531. 47