Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply AZE 1/2012 05/03/2012 Azerbaijan JAL Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Alleged grave challenges for NGOs to freely conduct their activities within the context of the provisions contained in the 2009 Law on Non-Governmental Organizations; as well as alleged de facto ban on peaceful assemblies in Baku. According to the information received, several provisions contained in the 2009 NGO Law may unduly restrict the right to freedom of association, particularly with regard to the rules regulating foreign NGOs. There are also allegations indicating that several human rights NGOs have recently faced an increasing pressure in an attempt to intimidate and silence them. It is also reported that over the past months, several requests to hold peaceful assemblies have been denied; and when authorized, they had to take place in remote areas outside Baku. CHE 1/2012 05/03/2012 Suisse JAL Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Allégations de restrictions indues concernant la loi modifiant la loi sur les manifestations sur le domaine public au sein de la république et canton de Genève. Selon les informations reçues, la loi modifiant la loi sur les manifestations sur le domaine public au sein de la république et canton de Genève, qui sera votée par référendum le 11 mars 2012, présenterait un nombre de dispositions problématiques au regard du droit international des droits de l'homme. En effet, cette loi, par le biais de plusieurs articles, restreindrait indûment l'exercice des droits de réunion pacifique et d'expression. ZWE 3/2012 05/03/2012 Zimbabwe JAL Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; 08/03/2012 Alleged illegal decision suspending the activities of 29 NGOs in Masvingo. According to the information received, on 14 February 2012, the Governor of Masvingo ordered the suspension of the activities of 29 NGOs for allegedly failing to submit to his office a certificate of registration together with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by local authorities. It is alleged that this decision would be illegal as the law does not provide the Governor with the authority to register, suspend or disrupt the activities of NGOs. KWT 1/2012 06/03/2012 Kuwait JAL Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Minority issues; 30/04/2012 Alleged undue restrictions to the right of peaceful assembly. According to the information received, on 12 and 13 January 2012, security forces broke up a peaceful demonstration organized by Bidun in the city of Jahra and arrested 61 demonstrators. On 12 January 2012, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement prohibiting illegal residents to organize any rallies, gatherings, sit-ins or demonstrations regardless of their nature, objective and mission. It is reported that the latest developments form part of an increasingly hostile environment towards Bidun. 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 03/05/2012 09/05/2012 A/HRC/20/30 66 Date Type