A/HRC/39/41 24. South Sudan 100. In a report in February 2018, 24 the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and OHCHR noted instances of restrictions imposed by national authorities, including the National Security Service and pro-government forces as well as among the personnel of Central and State administration, against individuals whose opinions were perceived as critical of the Government or the reputation of the country and who cooperated with the United Nations by attending meetings, sharing information on human rights violations, and facilitating access of UNMISS to affected populations (see S/2017/505, S/2017/784, S/2017/1011, and S/2018/133).25 101. UNMISS received reports of at least 12 incidents which included arbitrary arrests and detentions, restrictions of movements and acts of intimidation and harassment, mostly targeting human rights defenders cooperating with the United Nations. Some individuals were ordered by security officials to cease sharing information with the United Nations. In addition, UNMISS received credible reports of intimidation against three South Sudanese human rights defenders living in neighboring countries or travelling outside the country who were accused of collaborating with the United Nations and being critical of the human rights situation in South Sudan. Human rights defenders were also reportedly threatened by government representatives after holding meetings with United Nations personnel in Upper Nile and Equatoria regions, in September and November 2017, respectively. At least two victims have sought refuge elsewhere in the country and abroad. 102. In follow up to his visit to South Sudan in February 2017, the Assistant SecretaryGeneral for Human Rights sent a letter to the Government on 21 July 2017 and stressed the absolute need to avoid reprisals and threats against human rights defenders, including those who have cooperated with the United Nations. 26 In the letter he addressed specific cases of intimidation and threats against individuals for having cooperated with UNMISS and other United Nations entities outside South Sudan, including cases of individuals who were forced to leave the country. 25. Thailand 103. On 30 June 2017, three special procedures mandate holders raised urgent concerns about allegations of intimidation against Mr. Maitree Chamroensuksakul, a Lahu indigenous human rights defender from a hill tribe group in the border between the north of Thailand and Myanmar (THA 4/2017). According to information received, Mr. Chamroensuksakul was subject to harassment and death threats following a meeting he had with Mr. Michel Forst, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, on 27 May 2017during his academic visit to Thailand. Mr. Chamroensuksakul had been documenting and publicly raising concerns of human rights violations committed against the Lahu community by law enforcement officers. In particular, he was seeking justice for the killing of Chaiyaphum Pasae, a 17-year old Lahu youth activist who was shot dead by military personnel on 17 March 2017 during an alleged anti-drug operation in Ban Kong Phak Ping village. Mr. Chamroensuksakul posted a photo of himself with the Special Rapporteur on his Facebook page. 104. On 29 May 2017, two days after Mr. Chamroensuksakul met with the Special Rapporteur, the police from Provincial Region 5 and Chiang Mai conducted a joint largescale search operation of Ban Kong Phak Ping village, with a warrant issued by Chiang Mai Provincial Court, supposedly aimed at searching for drugs. The authorities searched nine houses, including Mr. Chamroensuksakul’s house, which they raided while he was not home. Two of his family members were arrested and charged with drug possession, and both were denied access to a lawyer during their interrogation by the police. At the time of writing the Government had not responded to the special procedures’ urgent appeal of 30 June 2017. 24 25 26 38 UNMISS and OHCHR, “Report on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression in South Sudan since the July 2016 Crisis”, February 2018,. Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan, February 2018. OHCHR, “South Sudan: Senior UN human rights official condemns deplorable rights situation, calls for perpetrators to be held to account,” 17 February 2017. GE.18-13325