A/HRC/13/42* page 94 179. In this connection, on 10 July 2009, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment sent a joint urgent appeal to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning more than 100 protesters arrested by public authorities in Tehran and other Iranian cities during the protests, or at their homes. The vast majority of those arrested were allegedly deprived of any contact with members of their family, and did not have access to legal counsel. 357 On 14 October 2009, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances sent a communication regarding many of the persons concerned by the above-mentioned joint urgent appeal, as well as other people whose fate and whereabouts were unknown.358 4. Nepal 180. The practice of secret detention by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) during the conflict with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) has been the object of in-depth documentation, both by Nepalese civil society and United Nations bodies. The Government has accepted visits by several special procedures mandate holders, in particular the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances359 and the Special Rapporteur on torture.360 The OHCHR Office in Nepal has published two reports documenting conflict-related disappearances in specific districts.361 181. In January 2005, the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances observed that the phenomenon of disappearance in Nepal was widespread, with both the Maoist insurgents and the Nepalese security forces as perpetrators.362 The practice of secret detention, however, related primarily to the Royal Nepalese Army, since the Maoists were reportedly likely to kill perceived opponents outright.363 A year later, the Special Rapporteur on torture reported 357 A/HRC/13/39/Add1. 358 Ibid., para. 289. 359 Report of the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances on its mission to Nepal (E/CN.4/2005/65/Add.1). 360 E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.5. 361 OHCHR, Nepal, report of investigation into arbitrary detention, torture and disappearance at Maharajgunj Royal Nepalese Army barracks, Kathmandu, in 2003-2004 (May 2006), and report on conflict-related disappearances in Bardiya district (December 2008). 362 E/CN.4/2005/65/Add.1, para. 25. 363 Ibid., para. 29.