A/HRC/43/51/Add.3
face, including judicial harassment and arbitrary detentions, are often linked to their activities
opposing large-scale projects with negative environmental and human rights impacts, such
as dams and power plants. The Special Rapporteur raises further concern that such acts of
harassment and intimidation could have a negative impact across the wider human rights
community and may deter local initiatives where environmental human rights defenders are
peacefully assembling to oppose controversial projects.
497. Finally, the Special Rapporteur sent one communication on reprisals against a human
rights defender for cooperating with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms, concerning
the Russian Federation (RUS 8/2019).
Armenia
498.
JAL 18/04/2019
Case no: ARM 2/2019
State reply: 18/06/2019
Allegations of threats received online, and incitement to violence against woman
human rights defender Ms. Lara Aharonian, as well as death threats against
transgender rights defender Ms. Lilit Martirosyan, allegedly as a result of her speech
about the human rights of transgender people at a discussion about the United Nations
Universal Periodic Review at the National Assembly of Armenia.
499. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Armenia for its detailed response
dated 18 June 2019.
500. The Special Rapporteur expresses concern at the threats, including death threats and
threats of rape, against Ms. Aharonian, Ms. Martirosyan, her colleagues and the families of
the two women human rights defenders. Given the lack of substantive results in previous
police investigations into cases of threats and online attacks against women human rights
defenders, the Special Rapporteur is further concerned that this sends a message that such
acts are tolerated and are subject to impunity. His concerns are heightened by the fact that
the death threats occurred within the context of the discussion about the UN Universal
Periodic Review in the National Assembly. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur remains
concerned by the undermining of freedom speech in Armenia, where there appears to be few
measures taken to facilitate a safe and an enabling environment for freedom of expression,
in particular for women and members of the LGBTI community, including in the online
space.
501. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the opening of a preliminary investigation into the
online threats against Ms. Aharonian, and encourages the Government of Armenia to provide
updated information on the current status of the investigation. The Special Rapporteur is
concerned about the suspension of investigations into the online death threats against Ms.
Martirosyan and the leaking of her personal data. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall
that one of the recommendations put forward in the report on the situation of women human
rights defenders which he presented to the fortieth session of the Human Rights Council
(A/HRC/40/60) is to prioritise the protection of women defenders in online spaces and adopt
laws, policies and practices that protect their right to privacy and protect them from libel and
hate speech.
Belarus
502.
JAL 07/02/2019
Case no: BLR 1/2019
State reply: 25/03/2019
Allegations of judicial harassment against Mr. Alies Burakoŭ, a human rights
defender and journalist, editor of the human rights web platform “Human rights in
Mahilioŭ” (the regional website of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”), and member
of non-governmental organisation “Viasna”.
503.
JAL 22/03/2019
Case no: BLR 2/2019
State reply: 16/05/2019
Allegations of judicial harassment against Mr. Uladzimir Vialičkin, a human
rights defender and member of the non-governmental organisation “Viasna” and Mr.
Vital Kazak, environmental rights defender, as well as the alleged arbitrary detention
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