A/HRC/41/41/Add.1
places of worship belonging to the organisation (UKR 4/2018). Between 2014 and 2017,
there had allegedly been at least 70 acts of Vandalism against UOC churches. Reports state
that the aim of these attacks was the closing and seizure of the churches, and, indeed,
following the attacks many of the churches have remained sealed. Despite complaints made
to authorities, at the time the communication was written, no investigations had taken place.
Furthermore, during a procession organised by the UOC on 27 July 2016, authorities
allegedly used excessive force against participants. As a result, 14 of them were injured,
including fractured limbs and severe head injuries. Taken cumulatively, the Special
Rapporteur expresses his preoccupation that the right to freedom of association of the UOC
may be being systematically violated. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of
Ukraine for its response dated 23 May 2019, and for the comprehensive information
provided regarding criminal investigations underway in relation to acts of harassment
against members of the Church and acts of vandalism against the churches themselves. He
regrets however that no information was provided regarding allegations of excessive use of
force by authorities during the procession which took place on 27 July 2016.
VII. Middle East and North Africa
Algeria
94.
JAL Case no: DZA 4/2018 (Algeria), sent on 4 October 2018, no reply. Informations
reçues concernant les barrières administratives et judiciaires auxquelles font face les
membres de la minorité chrétienne protestante, notamment, le refus des autorités de statuer
sur l’approbation du nouveau Bureau exécutif de l’Église protestante d’Algérie, la
fermeture d’Églises protestantes ainsi que les poursuites judiciaires entreprises à l’encontre
des leurs membres pour l’importation de matériel religieux chrétien.
Egypt
95.
JOL Case no: EGY 12/2018 (Egypt), sent on 24 August 2018, reply received 25
October 2018. Allegations concerning the draft law approved by the House of
Representatives of Egypt that would grant amnesties to a designated cadre of high-ranking
military officers.
96.
JUA Case no: EGY 4/2019 (Egypt), sent on 20 March 2019, no reply. Allegations
concerning the arbitrary arrest and detention of transgender woman and LGBTIQ human
rights defender, Ms. Malak Al-Kashif.
Israel
97.
JAL Case no: ISR 10/2018 (Israel), sent on 25 May 2018, no reply.Allegations
concerning the refusal to grant exit permits to leave Gaza to Mr. Yousef Al-Kronz and Mr.
Mohammed Al-‘Ajouri as part of an Israeli military punitive policy denying Gaza residents
that participated in the recent protests access to life-saving medical treatment in the West
Bank. Both Mr. Yousef Al-Kronz and Mr. Mohammed Al-‘Ajouri were severely injured
while covering and participating in the Land Day protests on 30 March 2018, and were in
need of urgent medical treatment in Ramallah to save their legs.
98.
JAL Case no: ISR 14/2018 (Israel), sent on 20 December 2018, no reply.
Allegations concerning the targeting of the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in
the Occupied Territories, known as B’Tselem and its staff, including allegations of reprisals
against Mr. Hagai El-Ad and harassment of Ms. Manal Al-Ja’bri.
99.
JAL Case no: ISR 1/2019 (Israel), sent on 26 March 2019, no reply. Allegations
concerning the killing by the Israeli security forces of two persons with disabilities, Mr.
Tahreer Mahmoud S’aed Wahba and Mr. Fadi Hasan Soliman Abu Selmi, who were
participating in demonstrations along the fence between Gaza and Israel on 1 April 2018
and 14 May 2018 respectively.
19
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