A/HRC/44/50/Add.4 unauthorised assemblies of four or more people, was allegedly invoked to restrict assemblies in several states, resulting in the detention of large numbers of peaceful protesters. 74. Authorities also reportedly restricted the right of peaceful assembly by refusing legitimate authorisation requests. The Special Rapporteur additionally raised concern at reports of attacks on protesters by alleged sympathisers of political groups, and - in certain cases - the alleged failure on the part of authorities to intervene to ensure a safe environment for protesters to assemble safely, or to take action against those who instigate violence regardless of their political sympathies. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no reply from the Government has been received to date. 75. Mass protests were also the subject of three communications sent to the Government of Iran during the reporting period (IRN 16/2019, IRN 17/2019 and IRN 2/2020). The three communications, sent on 21 November and 18 December 2019, and 19 February 2020, raised concerns regarding the use of force as well as large-scale arrests, and alleged arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of protesters. 76. According to official sources, between 15 and 19 November 2019 up to 200,000 people participated in mostly peaceful protests throughout the country, instigated by a rise in fuel prices. Security forces reportedly used water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters, with footage and reports indicating cases of security forces shooting protestors in the back as they ran away. Reports indicated hundreds of deaths. Official sources stated that over 7,000 people were arrested during the protests, thousands of whom were detained. The Special Rapporteur further expressed serious concern at reports suggesting the ill-treatment of persons detained, including the forced transfer of injured persons from medical care to detention facilities, denial of medical care, ill-treatment for the purpose of extracting confessions, denial of fair trial guarantees, and the denial of access to legal representation and contact with their family members. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its reply dated 19 February 2020. 77. Communication IRN 2/2020 related to the sit-ins and protests held around the country between 11 and 14 January 2020, triggered by the circumstances surrounding the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight SB752, which resulted in 176 victims. Following the two above-mentioned communications addressed to the Government of Iran regarding the November 2019 protests, the Special Rapporteur regretted to note continued reports of systematic intimidation and harassment of protesters and their family members; unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, including live ammunition; ill-treatment of detained protesters; denial of access to legal representation and of contact with relatives; reprisals against those seeking information on their relatives and the violent suppression of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. The Special rapporteur also noted with concern allegations that political, judicial and religious leaders made public statements that incited hatred and violence against protesters. The Special Rapporteur looks forward to receiving a reply to this communication. 78. In the communication MMR 12/2019 sent to the Government of Myanmar on 30 Oct 2019, the Special Rapporteur expressed his concerns regarding the alleged excessive use of force during protests against the expansion of a coal-powered cement plant in the village of Aung Tha Pyay in Mandalay, including allegations of arbitrary detention of journalist Mr Kyi Myint Aung. The protests on 14 and 15 May 2019, which followed on from similar protests occurring since July 2018, were allegedly violently suppressed by police using rubber bullets, injuring at least 17 people. Kyi Myint Aung, a journalist with Channel Mandalay TV, filmed the demonstrations and the police’s actions and live-streamed them on Facebook. He was arrested on 15 May 2019, with the police alleging that he attacked them with a stick. Numerous eyewitnesses reportedly refuted that allegation. A total of 18 demonstrators were charged under the Regional Road and Transportation Law and the Right to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law in relation to the demonstration. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its reply dated 23 December 2019. 79. In the joint communication MMR 1/2020 sent on 31 March 2020, the Special Rapporteur raised his concerns in relation to a demonstration in Yangon on 23 February 2020 calling for the internet in Rakhine State to be restored. The Special Rapporteur expressed concern at the arrests, detention and charges against a number of protesters, in what appear 17