A/HRC/12/50
Deeply concerned at the seriousness of reported reprisals and the fact that victims
suffer violations of their human rights, including the rights to life, liberty and security of the
person, as well as the right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment,
Deeply concerned also at reports of incidents in which individuals have been
hampered in their efforts to avail themselves of procedures established under the auspices
of the United Nations for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recalling all relevant Commission on Human Rights resolutions, the most recent
being resolution 2005/9 of 14 April 2005,
Recalling Council decision 2/102 of 6 October 2006,
Welcoming the reports of the Secretary-General on this question (E/CN.4/2006/30,
A/HRC/4/58, A/HRC/7/45 and A/HRC/10/36),
1.
Urges Governments to prevent and refrain from all acts of intimidation or
reprisal against those who:
(a)
Seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its
representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, or who have provided
testimony or information to them;
(b)
Avail or have availed themselves of procedures established under the
auspices of the United Nations for the protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them for this
purpose;
(c)
Submit or have submitted communications under procedures established by
human rights instruments, and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them
for this purpose;
(d)
Are relatives of victims of human rights violations or of those who have
provided legal or other assistance to victims;
2.
Condemns all acts of intimidation or reprisal by Governments and non-State
actors against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the
United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights;
3.
Calls upon States to ensure adequate protection from intimidation or reprisals
for individuals and members of groups who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the
United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and
reaffirms the duty of all States to end impunity for such actions by bringing the
perpetrators, including accomplices, to justice in accordance with international standards
and by providing an effective remedy for their victims;
4.
Welcomes the efforts made by States to investigate allegations of intimidation
or reprisals and to bring perpetrators to justice, and encourages Governments to support
such efforts;
5.
Requests all representatives and mechanisms of the United Nations in the
field of human rights to continue to take urgent steps, in conformity with their mandates, to
help prevent the occurrence of such intimidation and reprisals and the hampering of access
to the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in any way;
6.
Also requests all representatives and mechanisms of the United Nations to
continue to include in their respective reports to the Council or the General Assembly
references to credible allegations of intimidation or reprisal and of hampering of access to
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