Date Type Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted GMB 1/2014 23/12/2014 Gambia JUA Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Allegations of arbitrary arrest and detention of three individuals as a direct result of their peaceful and legitimate activities advocating for human rights in the Gambia. On 5 November 2014, Mr. Sait Matty Jaw, a Gambian national, Mr. Seth Yaw Kandeh, a Ghanaian national, and Mr. Olufemi Ernle Titus, a Nigerian national, were allegedly arbitrarily arrested and detained at the Gambian National Intelligence Agency Headquarters as a result of their involvement with a Gallup poll designed to collect data on political governance and alleged corruption in the Gambia. On 10 December 2014, the three men appeared before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court. They were officially charged with conspiracy to commit misdemeanour, failure to register a business, and two counts of disobedience of statutory duty in relation to preliminary work being done for the Gallup poll. All defendants pleaded not guilty as charged. The three men were remanded to Mile II Prison pending trial, scheduled for 23 December 2014. MYS 8/2014 23/12/2014 Malaysia JAL Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Allegations related to the Sedition Act of 1948 and restrictions to the right to freedom of opinion and expression. According to the information received, on the basis of the Sedition Act of 1948 (the Act), law enforcement institutions enjoy unfettered discretion to arrest and charge individuals who are merely exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, as set forth in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Reportedly, the Prime Minister of Malaysia made a statement on 27 November 2014 expressing the Government’s intention not only to retain, but also to strengthen, the Act. It is also reported that since Special Rapporteurs’ last communicated with the Government on the issue, there have been new cases of persons detained and charged under the Act for acts related to the legitimate exercise of their rights to freedom of opinion and expression. This communication is sent in follow-up to the response received from the Government of Malaysia to the press release issued on 8 October 2014, following the communication sent on 1 October 2014, see A/HRC/28/85, case no. MYS 6/2014. Reply A/HRC/29/50 31