A/HRC/10/36 page 7 4. Namibia 14. On 7 October 2008, a prompt intervention letter was sent by the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances concerning intimidation and reprisals against P.I.N., a civil society activist who cooperates with United Nations human rights bodies. P.I.N. was reportedly intimidated, including with death threats, and attacked for his involvement in investigations of cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances in the country. The reprisals against P.I.N. were allegedly organized within the Safety, Security and Police Ministry. 15. On 17 October 2008, the Government requested further information from the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances on the above-mentioned alleged action. 5. Thailand 16. On 26 February 2008, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders sent a communication to the Government concerning the wife of a human rights lawyer who disappeared in 2004. At the time, she presented his case to the relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms. As a result of her efforts to bring to justice those responsible for her husband’s disappearance, she was part of the witness protection programme in Thailand. According to the information received, the Department of Special Investigation decided to transfer the witness protection she was receiving from civilian officers to police officers, who were on trial in connection with her husband’s disappearance. As a result, she withdrew from the programme and concern was expressed for her physical and psychological integrity. 17. On 1 October 2008, the Government responded, indicating that she had been placed under the witness protection programme in 2004 and that her protection remains the responsibility of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Ministry of Justice, and not the police authorities. C. General issues of concern 18. The cases of reprisals contained in this report include a range of violations, from direct acts of threats and intimidation, through criminal charges aimed at preventing lawful professional activities and weakening of witness protection schemes to instances of physical violence against human rights defenders, victims or family members. These acts are generally intended to terminate the cooperation of these persons with United Nations human rights mechanisms and other relevant bodies. 19. The alleged victims of these abuses are private individuals, lawyers, human rights defenders or members of non-governmental organizations who were or have been sources of information about human rights violations for United Nations human rights bodies or who had met with their representatives. There are also disturbing allegations that family members of victims of human rights violations have also been the target of intimidation and reprisals.