A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 association as enshrined in international human rights law and standards. Similarly, he remains concerned by the vague wording of some of the provisions and cautions the authorities against ambiguous legal provisions governing the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association that increase the risk of abuses and violations of these rights and infuse fear of breaking the law among society activists, which in turn can lead to selfcensorship. He is further concerned at that the wide discretion given to the Minister for Internal Affairs and the National Board for NGOs at the National, District and Sub-County levels are problematic and could have the effect of discouraging the formation and work of associations. 133. The Special Rapporteur reminds the State of its obligation to ensure a conducive environment for the free exercise of the rights of peaceful assembly and association, rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, acceded by the State on 21 June 1995. It also restates that, according to this same Covenant, only a very limited number of restrictions to these rights may apply, which should be prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society for responding to a pressing social need for the interference. Country visit 134. The Special Rapporteur reminds the Government of Uganda of his country visit requests sent in 2011 and 2013, to which a response is yet to be received. He believes such a country visit may be an opportunity to discuss any technical assistance that the Government may require. Zambia 135. JAL 11/01/2016. Case no. ZMB 4/2015. State reply: None. Alleged undue delays in registration process of a non-governmental organization working on Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) issues. Observations Response to communication 136. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no response has been received to date relating to the allegations contained in his communication ZMB 4/2015. He considers responses to the questions raised in his communications as an important part of the cooperation of Governments with his mandate, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010). 137. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern at the reportedly undue delays in reviewing the application for registration of the Engender Rights Centre for Justice and the subsequent refusal to register it for reasons that could be related to the organization’s peaceful activities in advocating and speaking out against discrimination and defending the rights of LGBTI persons in Zambia. The Special Rapporteur further reiterates his concerns with regard to the judicial proceedings against Mr. Kasonkomona that appear to result from the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression on a TV show and more generally to his human rights activities within the Engender Rights Centre for Justice. 138. The Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that a “notification procedure”, rather than a “prior authorization procedure” that requests the approval of the authorities to establish an association as a legal entity, complies better with international human rights law and should be implemented by States. Under this notification procedure, associations are automatically granted legal personality as soon as the authorities are notified by the founders that an 24