A/HRC/10/36
page 8
20. It should be reiterated that this report is not a comprehensive account of all acts of reprisal
faced by individuals or groups cooperating with the United Nations. By their nature, a number
of cases of reprisals are unreported, inter alia, because of their success in deterring cooperation
and the lack of access of victims or their families to communication with United Nations
mechanisms. In addition, due to its mandate described in paragraph 3 above, this report does not
cover a large number of cases in which individuals have been victims of reprisals for having
cooperated with United Nations bodies or mechanisms other than special procedures, treaty
bodies or the Universal Periodic Review. These include the field presences of the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights, the human rights components of peacekeeping missions
under the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the human rights advisers to United Nations
country teams and other parts of the Secretariat. Furthermore, the report does not cover cases of
reprisals for cooperation with United Nations specialized agencies. Finally, whereas a great
number of national staff members working for the United Nations have faced reprisals because
of their work for the Organization, these cases could not be reflected in the present report.
II. CONCLUSION
21. During the period under review, reports of intimidation and reprisals against private
individuals and groups who seek to cooperate with representatives of United Nations
human rights bodies or against family members of victims of human rights violations have
continued to be received. Of particular concern is the continued seriousness of such
reprisals as victims suffer violations of the most fundamental human rights, including the
right to life, the right to liberty and security of person. The gravity of reported acts of
reprisal reinforces the need for all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies
in cooperation with States to continue to take urgent steps to help prevent the occurrence
of such acts and ensure that they are not treated with impunity.
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