A/HRC/32/48 of information on public gatherings was banned until the authorities had approved them. 10 As a result, the scope of “unauthorized events” that trigger administrative liability had grown to include distributing printed materials or carrying out photographic shoots. There had also been reports of cases of detention and prosecution for participating in events that had already been authorized.11 62. In 2014, the Special Rapporteur called upon the authorities of Belarus to end the obstruction, punishment and harassment of non-governmental organizations making use of their right to peaceful assembly (A/69/307, para. 93 (k)). In 2015, the Special Rapporteur noted the adoption of further restrictions to the right to gather in public (A/HRC/29/43, para. 87). Regrettably, the limitations to the exercise of the freedom of peaceful assembly have not been lifted, as the above examples illustrate. 63. At the first universal periodic review of Belarus, in 2010, it had been recommended that the State amend its legislation on mass events to ensure compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and simplify issuance of permissions for holding assemblies (A/HRC/15/16, para. 98.34). The recommendation was reiterated in 2015, based on the lack of progress made in amending legislation on public association and mass gatherings for it to comply with international standards (see A/HRC/30/3, paras. 129.57, 129.61, 129.65, 129.71, 129.77, 129.90 and 129.92-94). D. Situation of human rights defenders 64. The Special Rapporteur continued to receive alarming reports regarding the situation of human rights defenders during the period under review. The authorities have persisted in their denial of registration for renowned human rights organizations, such as Viasna. 65. The Special Rapporteur refers to his report submitted to the General Assembly in 2014 (A/69/307), in which he made an in-depth analysis of the situation of human rights defenders and made several recommendations on ensuring an enabling environment for activists to operate. He notes, however, that the restrictions have remained in place, as has the practice of constant harassment, making it virtually impossible for human rights defenders to work safely. 66. On 24 November 2015, during a peaceful protest in Minsk commemorating the referendum held in 1996 that increased the powers of the President and led to the introduction of the death penalty, two Viasna observers, Sergei Kaspiarovich and Natalia Satsunkevich, were charged with having organized the event, despite wearing observer badges with their own photos. They face a fine or detention.12 67. On 16 February 2016, the criminal case against former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich was extended again for another month. On 14 March, his case, originally opened after the events of 2010, was suspended, but may be re-opened at any time. 68. On 10 July 2015, human rights activist Mikhail Zhamchuzhny was sentenced to six years in a penal colony on the charges of intentional disclosure of information constituting an official secret, illegal acquisition (production) of means for secretly obtaining 10 11 12 12 See Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch UPR Submission to UNHRC: Belarus, 17 September 2014. Viasna Human Rights Center, “Situation of Human Rights in Belarus in December 2014”, 13 January 2015. Worldwide Movement for Human Rights, “Belarus, judicial harassment of Mr. Sergei Kaspiarovich and Ms. Natalia Satsunkevich”, 3 December 2015.