A/HRC/22/34 Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay and the European Union. 35. Also participating in the dialogue were the national human rights institution of Ecuador (Defensor del Pueblo de Ecuador) via a video message, and non-governmental organizations, namely, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues in a joint statement, Amnesty International, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada and Civicus – World Alliance for Citizen Participation. A. Issues raised by stakeholders 36. Most delegations thanked OHCHR and Hungary, as the main sponsor of Human Rights Council decision 18/118, for convening the panel discussion. The delegations also thanked the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for their firm stance on reprisals. They also praised the role played by the President of the Council. 37. All participants strongly condemned all acts of reprisal and intimidation for cooperating with the United Nations in the field of human rights, stressing that such acts should be prohibited and prevented. They affirmed that the issue should be a priority for the Human Rights Council and deserved its full and continuous attention. Some participants specifically referred to cases included in the report of the Secretary-General6 or provided testimonies on alleged cases of reprisals. Several States stressed the crucial importance of cooperating with civil society and that nobody should be harassed or intimidated for using his or her right to engage with the United Nations. 38. Delegations emphasized that there was a need to strengthen the response to reprisals, both in terms of prevention and in responding appropriately to cases that have already occurred. Several recommendations were made in this regard. 39. Focusing on measures to be taken at the national level, many participants stressed that the primary responsibility to protect those cooperating with the United Nations lay with States, which should guarantee the security of persons who decide to cooperate with the international human rights system. States should take the measures necessary to create social, economic, political and other conditions, as well as legal guarantees required for all persons under its jurisdiction to enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms and for intimidation and reprisals not to happen. All States should condemn reprisals unambiguously and act resolutely to prevent, address and end them. 40. Several participants insisted that there should be no impunity for such acts. States concerned should investigate without delay and in an impartial manner any alleged act of intimidation or reprisal and report back to the Human Rights Council. All perpetrators should be brought to justice. States should provide victims with appropriate remedies. Likewise, reprisals committed by non-State actors should also be investigated and the perpetrators should be held accountable first and foremost by the Government concerned. 41. Some States referred to various measures taken to protect human rights defenders, such as national protection programmes or the European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. 42. Some States referred to international human rights instruments, in particular the provisions relating to reprisals, and called on States to implement them. Similarly, the universal ratification and implementation of international human rights instruments should be promoted. 6 10 A/HRC/21/18.