A/HRC/57/60
surveillance of Odhikar following the visit to Bangladesh by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in August 2022. (BGD 4/2022). The Government
responded in detail to mandate holders.31
30.
According to information received by OHCHR, on 8 June 2022, upon the
Government’s non approval of Odikhar’s application for renewal of its registration, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs allegedly sent a note verbale to all diplomatic missions in Dhaka
justifying the government’s action and accusing Odhikar of having engaged in maligning the
image of the country. Reportedly, on 18 October 2022, Odhikar filed a Writ Petition before
the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh challenging the decision not to
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.
31.
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.32 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.
32.
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.
5.
Belarus
33.
The case of Mr. Aliaksandr Yarashuk was included in the 2023 report of the
Secretary-General 33 on allegations of arbitrary detention, charges and sentencing under
article 342 of the Criminal Code (disrupting social order), including for his submission of
information to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Mr. Yarashuk is a Chair of the
now outlawed Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) and member of the
ILO Governing Body. The ILO Governing Body and special procedures mandate holders
addressed the situation of Mr. Yarashuk, and the Government responded. 34
34.
In its 2023 and 2024 follow-up reports to the resolution on the measures recommended
under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on Belarus, the ILO’s Governing Body and the
Committee on Freedom of Association noted with concern the change in the conditions of
imprisonment of Mr. Yarashuk from “ordinary” to “strict” and his transfer in November 2023
to Mogilev Prison No. 4. On 6 September 2023, the BKDP and the International Trade Union
Confederation (ITUC) informed the ILO Office of the deteriorating conditions of
imprisonment of Mr. Yarashuk. On 12 September 2023, ILO’s Director-General expressed
31
32
33
34
GE.24-14259
See government replies at:
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37393;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37398;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37399;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37401;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37402;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37403;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37404;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37405;
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37406.
See government reply at:
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37393 p. 2.
A/HRC/54/61, Annex I paras.
See Minutes of the 346th session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office
(GB.346/PV), paras. 467–468; and BLR 6/2022.
41