Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply ARE 1/2013 16/04/2013 United Arab JUA Emirates Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture; 10/06/2013 Alleged trial against 94 human rights defenders and other civil society activists, with allegations of torture and violations of fair trial standards, and the sentencing of a human rights defender for publishing information on that trial. According to the information received, ninety-four human rights defenders, lawyers and other civil society activists currently face charges of sedition in the Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court. Many of the defendants are members of the “Al-Islah Association”, which peacefully calls for greater political freedoms in the United Arab Emirates. Reports indicate that several of the defendants have been tortured while in pre-trial detention and that confessions which constitute central pieces of evidence may have been obtained under torture. Moreover, numerous violations of international fair trial standards, including breaches of the lawyer-client privilege, partiality on the part of the judges and obstacles for the defence to submit and receive documentation have been alleged. International observers have reportedly been prevented from attending the hearings. Mr Abdullah Al-Hadidi was allegedly sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment for publishing an account of the trial on Twitter. EGY 6/2013 17/04/2013 Egypt JUA Terrorism; Torture; Alleged torture and ill-treatment by members of the National Security Forces (NSS) and the subsequent use of evidence obtained under torture before the Egyptian courts. According to the information received, on 8 November 2012, Mr. Ahmad Allam Mohamed Hefny was arrested by members of the NSS and subjected to torture and illtreatment at the National Security headquarters in Al-Arish for three consecutive days. Mr. Hefny was reportedly beaten, kicked, punched, raped with a wooden stick, and electrocuted, for the purpose of eliciting a confession relating to his alleged participation in the attacks on the Al-Arish police station on 29 July 2011. It is further reported that Mr. Hefny was transferred to the Tora Reception Prison in Cairo, where he continued to be subjected to torture and ill-treatment until he confessed under duress. It appears that these forced confessions may constitute the primary evidence against Mr. Hefny during upcoming court hearings. It is also reported that prison authorities punished Mr. Hefny for going on a hunger strike. A/HRC/24/21 38 Date Type