Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply SYR 8/2014 21/11/2014 Syrian Arab JUA Republic Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture; Alleged arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention of two Syrian human rights defenders in reprisal for their cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. According to the information received, Mr. Jdea Abdullah Nawfal and Mr. Omar Al-Shaar were arbitrarily arrested and detained on 31 October 2014 at the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing, upon their return from taking part in a workshop organized by OHCHR’s Regional Office for the Middle East. They were held at the Syrian immigration post for approximately eight hours until they were transferred to the office of the Syrian security intelligence agency in the area of Mazzeh, Rif Dimashq. Since then, they have been detained incommunicado at an unknown location. Grave concern is expressed that the alleged arbitrary arrest, detention and enforced disappearance of Mr. Nawfal and Mr. Al-Shaar are acts of reprisals for their cooperation with OHCHR. Serious concern is also expressed about their physical and psychological integrity, due to their incommunicado detention without access to a lawyer or medical care. Further concern is expressed that their arrest and detention might only be a first step towards more severe sanctions for their legitimate activities in the defence of human rights. AUS 5/2014 24/11/2014 Australia JAL Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Migrants; Torture; Trafficking; 23/12/2014 Allegations concerning changes to the legislation governing migration that would further weaken protection of the human rights of vulnerable irregular migrants. According to the information received, the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 and the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014, currently before the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, propose a range of measures that would further contravene Australia’s obligations under international law, including the principle of non-refoulement. A/HRC/28/85 132 Date Type