A/73/227 and must be ended in accordance with international standards. 24 To cite only a few illustrative examples, the Special Rapporteur was dismayed that E gyptian woman human rights defender Mozn Hassan, director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, has been subjected to a travel ban, had her assets frozen and been summoned for interrogation on the basis of charges including “changing the cultural values of women and inciting the irresponsible liberation of women in society”. 25 If we are to achieve universal human rights, we need more Mozn Hassans and we need them to be able to do their work unimpeded. 36. The Special Rapporteur is also deeply concerned by the case of Qin Yongmin, a prominent human rights defender in China who was convicted in July 2018 of “subversion of State power” and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Among the evidence presented against him by the prosecutor was a book in which he called on the Government of China to protect human rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 26 This sends a chilling message to all human rights defenders. 37. There are signs of positive developments at the national and international levels in recognizing the equal and universal rights of those facing systematic discrimination, including with regard to their intimate lives, identities and choices. For example, the overwhelming success of the Irish referendum on 25 May 2018, which abrogated the eighth amendment to the constitution, paving “the way for the development of a new legislative and regulatory framework for access to abortion services” 27 that is more conducive to guaranteeing women’s equal right to the highest attainable standard of health, and the creation in 2016 of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Human Rights Council resolution 32/2), both represent such steps forward. 38. The call of the former Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, John H. Knox, for international recognition, similar to that in regional instruments, of the human right to a healthy environment is another positive development, which the Special Rapporteur endorses (see A/HRC/37/59, paras. 11–16). The universality of human rights, including cultural rights, has no meaning without a liveable environment in which they can be enjoyed. 39. However, there are also worrying signs of a backlash against universality, such as (a) well-resourced and orchestrated efforts by some Governments, government __________________ 24 25 26 27 12/26 See, for example, joint allegation letter, case No. IND 10 /2016, and joint allegation letter, case No. IND 2/2016 (India); joint allegation letter, case No. ISR 1/2016, and related press releases from United Nations News, “United Nations experts urge Israel lawmakers to halt proposed legislation targeting civil society groups”, 24 June 2016, and “United Nations office raises concern about Israel’s ‘NGO Transparency Law’”, 19 July 2016 (Israel); and E/C.12/RUS/CO/6, paras. 7 and 8 (Russian Federation). For further examples, see A/HRC/38/34, and for critically important recommendations, see “20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders”, joint statement by a group of Chairs, Vice-Chairs and members of the United Nations human rights treaty bodies and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. Memorandum in Case No. 173, issued by the Cairo Court of Appeal Investigations Office, 11 January 2017 (unofficial translation for the Special Rapporteur). See also Nazra for Feminist Studies, “The summon of feminist and woman human rights defender Mozn Hassan to investigation within the context of the NGO foreign funding case ”, press release, 18 June 2018. Chinese Human Rights Defenders, “China sentences veteran human rights defender Qin Yongmin to 13 years in prison”, 11 July 2018; Indictment No. 107, The People’s Procuratorate of Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, 17 June 2016. Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, “Oireachtas must now legislate to vindicate the human rights of women and girls in accessing healthcare”, press release, 26 May 2018; see also CEDAW/C/IRL/CO/6-7. 18-12312