Overview

The rights to freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and of association remained restricted. The authorities used administrative detention to stop people from participating in unauthorized protests and criminal prosecution to target social media users and independent journalists. Harsher penalties for NGO leaders – who were a separate category of offenders in the Administrative Offences and Criminal Codes – were used for the first time. New cases of torture and other ill-treatment against suspects and prisoners were reported. The large number of migrant workers in the country faced exploitation and restricted access to health care and education. One person was sentenced to death.

Read more