A/HRC/WGEID/126/1 Annex IV Press releases and statements 1. On 10 January 2022, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees at Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release condemning the facility as a site of “unparalleled notoriety” and said its continued operation was a stain on the US Government’s commitment to the rule of law.1 2. On 22 December 2021, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release urging the Indian authorities to stop targeting Kashmiri human rights defender Mr. Khurram Parvez.2 3. On 15 December 2021, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release condemning the reported conviction of leading human rights defender and minority civil society activist Mr. Idris Khattak, who was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment following an apparent unfair trial by a military court in Pakistan. 3 4. On 10 December 2021, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release calling on Pakistan to halt the approval of an amendment to a bill criminalizing enforced disappearances that would harshly penalize families and other sources for reporting alleged cases. 4 5. On 1 December 2021, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release urging the Egyptian authorities to release rights defenders in Egypt, condemning misuse of counter-terrorism measures.5 6. On 24 November 2021, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Working Group, together with other special procedure mechanisms, issued a press release urging members States to address all forms of violence against women and girls, to exercise due diligence and to fight pushbacks on gender equality.6 1 2 3 4 5 6 36 Guantanamo Bay: “Ugly chapter of unrelenting human rights violations” – UN experts. UN experts urge Indian authorities to stop targeting Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez and release him immediately. UN experts condemn conviction of Pakistan human rights defender and minority activist Idris Khattak. Pakistan: Victims of enforced disappearance should not be discouraged from lodging complaints. UN experts urge release of rights defenders in Egypt, condemn misuse of counter-terrorism measures. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November 2021: All forms of violence against women and girls must stop – experts.