07/07/2015 JUA 07/07/2015 JAL Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply SGP 1/2015 Singapore Freedom of expression; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture; Allegations concerning the prosecution, detention and sentencing of two bloggers, 23/12/2015 of which one minor, in relation to the legitimate and peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of opinion and expression. According to the information received, Mr. Roy Ngerng Yi Ling, a blogger and human rights defender writing on issues of government transparency and accountability, was charged for defamation following a blog critical of the Prime Minister. It is reported that he may be ordered to pay more than 250,000 USD in damages. Mr. Ngerng also lost his job at a hospital as a consequence of his blogs critical of the Government. On 6 July 2015, in another case, a 16-year-old blogger was sentenced to four weeks in prison, after being held in custody for more than 50 days, in relation to a cartoon and video criticizing public figures he had posted on his blog on the internet. It is reported that the 16-year-old was detained in Changi Remand Centre and the Institute for Mental Health under conditions that amount to torture, including under a regime akin to solitary confinement. THA 6/2015 Thailand Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; 10/07/2015 Alleged threats against and intimidation of a lawyer for discharging her professional functions. According to the information received, Ms. Sirikan ‘June’ Charoensiri, a lawyer who volunteers with the association ‘Thai Lawyers for Human Rights’, is one of the counsels representing 14 students arrested on 26 June 2015 and charged with serious criminal offences before a military court. After the remand hearing of the students ended very early on 27 June, police officers tried to search Ms. Charoensiri’s belongings, as well as her car, without a search warrant, which she opposed. The car was finally searched at approximately 3.30 p.m. after a court order was produced and five mobile phones belonging to her clients were seized. Ms. Charoensiri filed a complaint for abuse of power against the police despite the fact that she was threatened with prosecution when doing so. On 28 June, a police Commissioner allegedly told the press that they were considering prosecuting her over the alleged evidence found in her car. On 29 June, local police officers visited Ms. Charoensiri’s parents and questioned them about her background. Concerns are expressed that the threats and intimidation against Ms. Charoensiri may have a ‘chilling effect’ on the independence of lawyers in Thailand. A/HRC/31/79 38 Date Type