A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 the contrary, the Special Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in his communications. 416. The Special Rapporteur expresses grave concern about the pattern of increasing violence and restrictions on civil society and human rights organisations in Egypt during this period, including human rights defenders involved in peaceful protests. He strongly reiterates his call for the Government of Egypt to fully implement its obligations to protect and promote the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in the country, in accordance with articles 21 and 22 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and article 28 of the Arab Charter, ratified by Egypt in 1982 and signed by Egypt in 2004, respectively (A/HRC/29/25/Add.3, para. 145). 417. The Special Rapporteur strongly denounces the killing of Ms. Shaimaa Sabry Ahmed al-Sabbagh and 20 other individuals during protests on 24 January 2015 (EGY 4/2015). In this context, the Special Rapporteur would appreciate additional information regarding investigations into the death of Ms. Al-Sabbagh and whether anyone has been held accountable for her death. He calls on the Government of Egypt to ensure that the use of force by police and security forces are restricted by the principles of legality, precaution, necessity, proportionality and accountability, and takes this opportunity to refer the Government to his recent joint report on the proper management of assemblies (A/HRC/31/66). 418. In connection with the case of Ms. Azza Soliman, who was a witness of the killing of Ms. Al-Sabbagh, the Special Rapporteur welcomes her acquittal, as well as that of 16 other defendants on 24 October 2015 (EGY 4/2015). However, he remains seriously concerned that the charges brought against Ms. Soliman were because of her testimony concerning the killing of Ms. Al-Sabbagh. 419. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern about the targeting of the human rights defenders and journalists through measures such as arrest, detention, including lengthy pre-trial detention and judicial procedures. He urges the Government to release them and to protect their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right to freedom of expression. 420. He welcomes the release of the human rights defender and journalist, Mr. Hossam Bahgat, on 10 November 2015 (EGY 16/2015). However, he remains seriously concerned that his arrest, detention and interrogation were as a result of his work for the human rights organization, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, and the online news site, Mada Masr. He refers to the PR of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression issued on 11 November 2015. 421. The Special Rapporteur strongly reiterates his concerns in the case of human rights defender and peaceful protestor, Mr. Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, concerning his arrest, detention and torture (EGY 17/2015). The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the short response of the Government of 2 February 2016 and would appreciate detailed information about any investigation conducted to verify the charges against Mr. Hussein, as well as the allegations of torture. He expresses grave concern for Mr. Hussein, who has been in pre-trial detention for over two years, where he remains, reportedly for exercising his right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He urges the Government to respond to the communication sent. 422. The Special Rapporteur also expresses concern in the case of three members of the human rights organization, the Belady Foundation, namely Ms. Aya Hegazy, Mr. Mohamed Hassanein and Ms. Amira Farag, who were arrested, detained and charged (EGY 2/2016), allegedly for their human rights work. He urges the Government to respond to the communication sent. 62