Date Type 18/08/2015 JAL 18/08/2015 AL Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply AGO 1/2015 Angola Business enterprises; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Allegations concerning the trial and conviction on charges of criminal defamation 21/12/2015 of an Angolan journalist and human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Rafael Marques de Morais was indicted in January 2013 on charges of defamation in relation to his book titled "Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola" which was published in Portugal in 2011. It is alleged that a number of procedural irregularities took place during the pre-trial period of Mr. Marques' trial. Furthermore, additional charges were lodged against Mr. Marques when the trial started on 24 March 2015, bringing the total criminal defamation charges lodged against him to 24. Conviction on such charges could allegedly lead to a nine year prison sentence and fine of 1.2 million USD. The case had reportedly been settled by way of a negotiated agreement in May 2015. However, the settlement agreement was then reversed and the court sentenced Mr. Marques to six months in prison, suspended for two years, whereby, if he engages in any behaviour that the Republic of Angola deems criminal, the sentence will be implemented. BHR 4/2015 Bahrain Freedom of expression; Allegations concerning the temporary suspension of the independent newspaper Al 22/10/2015 Wasat and restrictions to freedom of expression and opinion in Bahrain. According to the information received, on 6 August 2015, the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), which is primarily responsible for regulating press and publications in Bahrain, announced the temporary suspension of the Al Wasat newspaper until further notice. The IAA claimed that the suspension of Al Wasat’s activities was due to its “violation of the law and repeated dissemination of information that affects national unity and the Kingdom’s relationship with other countries”. The Bahraini authorities have allegedly intimidated and harassed the Al Wasat newspaper and its staff over a period of several years. Although the abovementioned suspension was lifted on 8 August 2015, concern is raised at the impact of the initial decision and the “chilling effect” on the freedom of the media in Bahrain, stifling reporting on issues of public interest. A/HRC/31/79 77