A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 que según el PIDCP, sólo podrán en contadas excepciones aplicarse ciertas restricciones al derecho de reunión, las cuales deberán ser proporcionales a la consecución de legítimos objetivos y obedecer estrictamente a intereses de seguridad nacional, integridad de la población, orden público, protección de la salud o moral públicas, o de protección de los derechos y libertades de los demás, además de estar prescritas por ley y ser necesarias en una sociedad democrática, es decir de existir una necesidad social acuciante para una injerencia. Visita de país 242. El Relator Especial confía en que el Gobierno de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela responderá favorablemente a sus solicitudes de visita hechas en 2011 y 2013. Recuerda que el Consejo de Derechos Humanos exhorta a los Estados a que colaboren plenamente con el Relator Especial en el desempeño de sus funciones y consideren favorablemente sur solicitudes para realizar visitas (A/HRC/RES/24/5, OP 6). V. Asia-Pacific region 243. The Special Rapporteur sent a total of 47 communications to 19 countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the period covered by this report, 17 of which were follow-up to previous communications. 244. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the number of cases of criminalization of, and instances of threats and physical attacks against, individuals exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or association in the region. He is also concerned about the several legislative developments in the region that are bound to hinder the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. 245. He reiterates that in democratic societies, demonstrations and protests represent a central mechanism for raising awareness about political and social concerns, including on environmental, labour or economic issues, to hold both Governments and corporations accountable. 246. The Special Rapporteur calls again on States to pay particular attention to the plights of groups at risk. He noted that in this region, groups at high risk of violations, including journalists, trade unionists, environmental activists and indigenous peoples, among others, face considerable opposition, harassment and , stigmatization from State and non-State actors because of their views and human rights activities. He urges the Governments to improve the situations of these often marginalized groups and recalls that the State retains the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection and promotion of their rights. In that this regard, he asked asks that positive measures, including affirmative action initiatives, be taken to ensure that all individuals belonging to groups most at risk have the ability to exercise effectively exercise their rights, including the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Afghanistan 247. JAL 17/12/2015. Case no. AFG 3/2015. State reply: None. Landmine attack against members of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC). 39