A/HRC/42/40 Pakistan 81. The Working Group regrets that it continues to receive a very high number of allegations both under the urgent action and the standard procedures in relation to cases of enforced disappearances (A/HRC/WGEID/116/1, paras. 130–131; A/HRC/WGEID/117/1, paras. 97–98; A/HRC/WGEID/118/1, paras. 80–81). It is also very concerned at the information received in relation to cases of reprisals against relatives and civil society actors working on their behalf (A/HRC/39/41, annex II, paras. 44–46). Of particular concern are recent testimonies received indicating that the authorities have exerted pressure on relatives of victims of enforced disappearances to persuade them not to pursue their cases before the Working Group. 82. While thanking the Government for the various replies providing information on a number of cases, the Working Group emphasizes that the allegations received are very serious. It reiterates the importance of respecting the provisions of the Declaration, in particular: (a) No State shall practise, permit or tolerate enforced disappearances (art. 2); (b) No circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances (art. 7); (c) Accurate information on the detention of persons deprived of liberty and their place or places of detention, including transfers, shall be made promptly available to their family members, their counsel or to any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information (art. 10 (2)); (d) Steps shall be taken to ensure that all involved in the investigation, including the complainant, counsel, witnesses and those conducting the investigation, are protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal (art. 13 (3)). 83. The Working Group reiterates its request to conduct a follow-up visit to the visit carried out in September 2012, as indicated in the follow-up report (A/HRC/33/51/Add.7, para. 38). Syrian Arab Republic 84. The Working Group continues to be gravely concerned about the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, which facilitates the occurrence of enforced disappearances.42 It is particularly concerned about the information documented by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, according to which a large number of the estimated tens of thousands of Syrians who have been disappeared by pro-Government forces are confirmed deceased. Many families learned the fate of their fathers, spouses and sons in May 2018 when civil registry offices received information in bulk that individuals were deceased. 43 The Working Group has also issued a general allegation on this issue (A/HRC/WGEID/117/1, para. 130 and annex I). The Working Group stresses that the State is responsible for accounting for the fate and whereabouts of detained and disappeared individuals countrywide. 85. The Working Group reiterates its call to the Security Council to consider referring the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic to the International Criminal Court.44 86. On 19 September 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No response yet has been received from the Government, in spite of several reminders. The Working Group hopes to receive a positive reply soon. 42 43 44 A/HRC/36/39, para. 105, and A/HRC/39/46, para. 131. See Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, “Death notifications in the Syrian Arab Republic”, 27 November 2018. See also www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23940&LangID=E. A/HRC/27/49, para. 99, and A/HRC/33/51, para. 103. 19