A/HRC/35/40 Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Background ........................................................................................................................... 3 B. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 5 II. Rule of law, legal framework and related developments .............................................................. 5 III. Engagement with the international human rights system .............................................................. 5 IV. Human rights concerns .................................................................................................................. 7 A. Freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of the media ........................................... 7 B. Freedom of association ......................................................................................................... 8 C. Freedom of peaceful assembly ............................................................................................. 9 D. Situation of human rights defenders and civil society .......................................................... 10 E. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment ............................. 12 F. Arbitrary arrest and detention, political prisoners and enforced disappearances .................. 13 G. Death penalty ........................................................................................................................ 14 H. Rule of law and the independence of judges and lawyers .................................................... 15 I. Economic and social rights and conditions of work ............................................................. 16 J. Discrimination ...................................................................................................................... 17 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 20 V. 2