A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 383. More generally, the Special Rapporteur expresses grave concern about the increased persecution of members of civil society who seek to promote and protect human rights, or voice dissent against the Government, which include physical assaults by the police or by unidentified individuals. The Special Rapporteur reminds the Government of its positive obligation to ensure that civil society, including human rights defenders, can carry out their legitimate work free in a safe and enabling environment without fear of threats or acts of intimidation and harassment of any sort. Country visit 384. The Special Rapporteur reminds the Government of his pending request to visit Viet Nam, as indicated by his letter sent in 2014. He trusts that such a visit would allow him to examine first-hand issues related to his mandate, identify good practices and formulate pertinent recommendations to relevant stakeholders. He looks forward to receiving a positive reply at the earliest possible opportunity. He reiterates that Human Rights Council resolution 15/21, which established his mandate, and 24/5, which renewed it for an additional period of three years, both call on States to consider favourably his requests for visits. VI. Middle East and North Africa region 385. During the current reporting period, the Special Rapporteur sent 24 communications to 9 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. 386. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the number of cases addressing allegations of violations of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and especially the right to freedom of association of, inter alia, human rights defenders and individuals expressing opinions of political dissent. 387. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes his concern about the various legal and illegal measures used to restrict the rights of civil society and human rights defenders, often for exercising the rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression in relation to their legitimate human rights work. Such measures reported have included the use of disproportionately restrictive legislation, arbitrary arrests, detention, prosecution, travel bans and torture. 388. The adoption of restrictive legislation, including security and counterterrorism legislation may have a significant impact that disproportionately restricts the right to freedom of association of civil society and human rights defenders and is of increasing concern in this region. The Special Rapporteur urges States to ensure that all new legislation and amendments adopted are compliant with the fundamental rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, in accordance with the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Arab Charter. 389. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that although the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association is not absolute, any restrictions must be compliant with international human rights law, which provides that any limitations must be proportionate and a necessary response to a pressing social need. The Special Rapporteur urges States to implement and promote the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in practice in the region. 58