Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted AZE 3/2013 28/03/2013 Azerbaijan JAL Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Human rights defenders; Reported amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, the law “On nongovernmental organizations (public associations and foundations)” and the law “On grants” which will allegedly affect the work of religious organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including those working for the promotion and protection of human rights. According to the information received, on 15 February 2013, the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted amendments to the mentioned legal texts which provide for increased penalties for violations of the requirement to register grants with the Ministry of Justice; introduce liability (fines and confiscation) for carrying out activities under a grant in the absence of a grant agreement; and only allow donations in cash up to the amount of 200 AZN if the recipient is an NGO that has indicated charitable activities as a primary statutory purpose. It is reported that the legislative amendments were submitted to the Parliament without due consultation with civil society organizations. BLR 2/2013 28/03/2013 Belarus JAL Belarus; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Allegations of forced cessation of a human rights organization’s activities. According to the information received, following the decision of the Minsk Economic Court to terminate its activities, the human rights organization “Platforma” filed an appeal with the appellate instance of Minsk Economic Court. The appeal hearing was scheduled for 13 November 2012. On 12 November 2012, representatives of Platforma filed a written notification with the appellate instance of the Minsk Economic Court requested that the hearing be postponed as none of Platforma’s staff could be present on that day, however to no avail. On 13 November 2012, the appeal was heard in the absence of representatives of Platforma and the appellate instance of the Minsk Economic Court, upheld the decision of the Minsk Economic Court. The forced cessation of Platforma’s activities was the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/22/67, case no BLR 4/2012). Reply A/HRC/24/21 28 Date Type