A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 Armenia 475. JAL 03/07/2015. Case no. ARM 1/2015. State reply: 31/08/2015; 06/10/2015. Alleged excessive use of force by the police to disperse a peaceful demonstration in Yerevan, and the subsequent arrest and detention of demonstrators, journalists and human rights monitors. Observations Response to communication 476. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Armenia for responding to the communication sent during this reporting period. 477. In connection with the excessive use of force used to disperse peaceful protestors in Yerevan, the Special Rapporteur acknowledges the replies of the Government of Armenia of 31 August 2015 and 6 October 2015 (ARM 1/2015). However, he remains concerned about the possible use of force by the police and requests that the results of the preliminary investigation of the criminal case be made publicly available and shared when it is complete. 478. He calls on the Government of Armenia 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 Report on the proper management of assemblies (A/HRC/31/66). 479. Additionally, he reaffirms that while assemblies can be subject to certain restrictions, which are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, there should be a presumption in favour of holding peaceful assemblies and prohibitions should be measures of last resort. In this context, he believes that a swift notification procedure to hold a peaceful assembly complies better with international standards, whereas other requirements can result in undue interference (A/HRC/20/27, para.28). Azerbaijan 480. JAL 29/05/2015. Case no. AZE 2/2015. State reply: 11/09/2015. Alleged pre-trial detention, charges and sentencing of four human rights defenders as a result of their legitimate human rights work. 481. JUA 19/08/2015. Case no. AZE 3/2015. State reply: 11/09/2015. Alleged detention and sentencing of two human rights defenders as a result of their legitimate human rights work. 482. JAL 31/08/2015. Case no. AZE 4/2015. State reply: 30/10/2015. Alleged murder of an Azerbaijani journalist and Chairperson of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety allegedly for criticizing a footballer on social media. 483. PR 02/06/2015. “Azerbaijani activists must be freed before the Baku 2015 Games – UN expert” 484. PR 20/08/2015. “Deeply distressing – UN experts condemn latest prison sentencing of rights defenders in Azerbaijan” 70