A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 Lebanon 688. JAL 10/05/2019 Case no: LBN 3/2019 State reply: none to date Allegations that the Ministry of Telecommunications has issued an order to block public networks from accessing an online dating application called “Grindr”, which is most commonly used by gay individuals, as well as allegations of interferences by Lebanese General Security with events related to sexual orientation and gender identity. 689. JAL 20/11/2019 Case no: LBN 6/2019 State reply: 20/01/2019 Allegations concerning several incidents of alleged excessive force and illtreatment by security forces and Lebanese army personnel against protesters, and failures to adequately protect protesters from violent attacks by alleged sympathisers of political groups, during overwhelmingly peaceful mass protests across towns and cities in Lebanon, including downtown Beirut, since 17 October 2019. 690. PR 26/11/2019 UN experts decry incidents of excessive force against protesters 691. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Lebanon for the reply received to the letter LBN 6/2019. He also thanks the Government for the response received to LBN 5/2018, a communication sent during the previous reporting period. The Rapporteur regrets that no reply has been received responding to the concerns contained within his other letter of allegation, and encourages the Government to fully cooperate with Special Procedures. 692. The Special Rapporteur expresses his concern regarding discriminatory restrictions on freedom of expression and association, based on sexual orientation and gender identity, observed during last year’s reporting period. The alleged blocking of an online dating application called “Grindr”, which is most commonly used by gay individuals, coupled with allegations of interferences by Lebanese General Security with events related to sexual orientation and gender identity, hinder the for the defence of LGBT rights. He is also gravely concerned that the collection of personal data by Lebanese General Security could have endangered the safety of the annual NEDWA conference participants, particularly in their respective countries, where same sex relations and/or certain forms of gender identity may be criminalised. 693. With regards to the allegations raised in his communication dated 20 November 2019, the Special Rapporteur is seriously concerned by what appears to be several incidents of undue restrictions to the rights to freedoms of peaceful assembly and of expression of protesters in Lebanon. Security forces, Lebanese army personnel, and allegedly politically affiliated counter-protesters have reportedly attacked protesters during overwhelmingly peaceful mass protests in towns and cities across Lebanon since 17 October 2019. 694. While awaiting the translation of the Government’s response to these allegations, the Rapporteur remains concerned by allegations of ill-treatment and excessive force to disperse protesters, including the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, large amounts of tear gas, and the beating of protesters with batons, which have caused hundreds of injuries, including hospitalisations. With regards to reports of attacks on protesters by alleged sympathisers of political groups, the Special Rapporteur reminds the Government that it has a responsibility to protect peaceful protesters and ensure that there is an enabling environment for them to assemble safely. The Government should take action against those who instigate violence regardless of their political sympathies. Mauritania 695. PR 18/06/2019 Des experts des droits humains de l’ONU demandent la libération d’un blogueur mauritanien en détention 94