Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted ETH 3/2014 30/04/2014 Ethiopia JUA Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture; Violence against women; Alleged incommunicado detention of bloggers and freelance journalists who have been advocating for a space for free public dialogue, freedom of expression and access to information in Ethiopia. According to the information received, six members of the blogging collective Zone Nine, Messrs’ Befeqadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Zelalem Kiberet, Natnael Feleke and Abel Wabela, and Ms. Mahlet Fantahun, and three freelance journalists, Messrs’ Tesfalem Waldyes and Asemamaw Haile Giorgis, and Ms. Edom Kasaye, are being held incommunicado at the Maikelawi detention centre since 25 and 26 April 2014. They reportedly appeared at Arada first instance court on Sunday 27 April 2014 and are scheduled to appear before the court on 7 and 8 May 2014 on charges of working with foreign human rights organizations and inciting violence through social media to create instability in the country. THA 3/2014 30/04/2014 Thailand JAL Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Allegations of the use of defamation laws, in particular the Computer Crimes Act, to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression of two journalists. According to the information received, on 18 December 2013, Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian who had been investigating and reporting on the situation of the Rohingya people in Thailand, in particular denouncing the Thai military’s alleged involvement in pushbacks of the Rohingya boat people to the sea, were charged with damaging the Navy’s reputation and for breaching the Computer Crimes Act. On 17 April 2014, they were formally charged with defamation and violation of Section 14 of the Computer Crimes Act. Reportedly, they could face up to seven years of imprisonment and/or fines amounting to 100,000 baht (about 3,000 USD) if found guilty. Mr. Morison and Ms. Sidasathian are due to appear in Court for another preliminary hearing on 26 May 2014. Concern is expressed at the proportionality of restrictions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, in particular with regard to conformity with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Reply A/HRC/27/72 48 Date Type