A/HRC/44/2 activism, and to investigate allegations of excessive use of force committed by the security forces. 392. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain raised concerns about restrictions of human rights defenders’ freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as well as gender-based violence in the context of the Catalan crisis. It expressed concern on the criminalization and stigmatization of human rights defenders working on the rights of migrant people and refugees. It called for investigations regarding arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their use in the war in Yemen. 393. Amnesty International (by video message) welcomed the cooperation by Spain with the universal periodic review process and the acceptance of many recommendations. It was concerned at the excessive use of force by the security forces. It noted that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are still excessively restricted in Spanish law and welcomed the acceptance of recommendations on the reform of the criminal code and the organic law on the protection of citizens’ security. It called on the Government to decriminalize the glorification of terrorism and eradicate the crime of sedition. It observed the urgent need to strengthen the public health system and welcomed the acceptance of recommendations to guarantee access without discrimination to health care. Concerning the right to truth for victims of the civil war, it encouraged Spain to ensure the right of effective remedy. 394. Asociación HazteOir.org commended the acceptance by Spain of recommendations on freedom of opinion, expression, demonstration and religion, but noted that the limitations imposed in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic were not justified and proportionate. It regretted repression against organisations and journalists who denounce human rights violations. It was concerned at limitations to fundamental rights and the mismanagement of the crisis. It welcomed the plans to improve the health and avoid the isolation of older persons, but remained concerned that thousands of older persons did not receive the necessary medical attention and died during the Covid-19 crisis. It stated that it had filed a criminal complaint in Spain before the Supreme Court denouncing the Council of Ministers for actions against fundamental individual rights. 395. Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (by video message) welcomed the fact that Spain accepted a large number of recommendations but was concerned that Spain did not accept some recommendations related to the detention of migrants and isolation in detention. It called for the repeal, reform or declaration of unconstitutionality of the Organic Law on the Protection of Citizens’ Security. It expressed its will in opening spaces of dialogue and follow-up of implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations, with the participation of the full state apparatus and across the entire country. 396. The Health and Environment Program welcomed the work of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review and the Troika in the process. It noted that Spain had reiterated the importance of the universal periodic review process to evaluate its policies in terms of human rights and that it had ratified the majority of international instruments on human rights, which demonstrates the commitment of Spain to the respect of human rights obligations. It noted that, in this regard, a midterm report was prepared on the implementation of the recommendations that Spain received during the second cycle of the universal periodic review and noted that the civil society has actively participated in this process by means of a public consultation on the internet. 397. The Iraqi Development Organization noted that a large number of requests from non-governmental organizations for a reform of the police and security forces, and that this request followed the revolts starting in October 2017 in Catalonia, when excessive use of force by the Spanish police and security forces was performed. It regretted that the GE. 67