A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 in order to criminalise the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly would constitute an unwarranted and disproportionate attack on these rights and may have severe repercussions on civic space in the country. 416. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about alleged statements made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs regarding the “misuse of democratic space” during the march, which are not addressed in the Government’s reply. The Special Rapporteur reasserts that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly belong to all persons, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. Such statements, especially when made by public officials, may foster a climate in which discrimination and violence based on gender, sexual orientation and gender identity are condoned and perpetrated with impunity. 417. Further concern is expressed over alleged intimidation and threats of criminalisation against Mr. Numan Afifi in relation to his participation the 40th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which may constitute an act of reprisal for his cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the Government’s justification for calling Mr. Afifi for questioning following his participation in the abovementioned Human Rights Council session, which is based on his having been sat in close proximity to someone who reportedly made a remark of which the Government disapproves, in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Special Rapporteur finds this explanation deeply unsatisfactory. Acts of reprisal against human rights defenders for their interaction with UN human rights mechanisms are condemned in the strongest possible terms. The Special Rapporteur underscores that the participation of human rights defenders and civil society organisations is vital for the ability of UN human rights mechanisms to carry out their mandated functions, and acts of reprisal seriously jeopardise these interactions. Maldives 418. JAL 07/11/2019 Case no: MDV 1/2019 State reply: 15/01/2020 Allegations concerning the decision to dissolve the human rights organisation Maldivian Democracy Network, as well as the intensified online harassment, intimidation and threats against its staff members, including Ms. Shahindha Ismail and Mr. Mushfiq Mohamed. 419. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of the Maldives for its response to communication MDV 1/2019. 420. The Special Rapporteur remains seriously concerned about the launching of investigations against the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN), the recent decision to dissolve the organisation, as well as the intensified online harassment, intimidation and threats, including a death threat, against Ms. Ismail, Mr. Mohamed and other MDN staff. These acts appear to be directly linked to their exercise of the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and expression in advocating for deradicalization and religious tolerance in the Maldives, notably in relation to a report MDN published in 2016, entitled “Preliminary Assessment of Radicalisation in the Maldives”. 421. While acknowledging the Government’s reply that a thorough investigation was carried out prior to confirming the dissolution of MDN, and that the investigation found the content of the aforementioned report to incompatible with the Islamic character of the Maldivian State, specific concerns are raised that the investigation and the decision to dissolve the organisation are based on repressive legislation which is incompatible with the Maldives’ obligations under international human rights law. 422. The Special Rapporteur is further concerned at statements made by the authorities undermining freedom of expression by condemning what is deemed to be “anti-Islamic” speech, and overstressing the need to “protect” religion from “blasphemy”. He also reiterates his concerns about increased religious intolerance in the country and increased online and offline attacks against individuals who express liberal or independent views. His concerns are strengthened by the chilling effect these acts have on the exercise of the right to freedom 59