A/HRC/RES/42/28 of guidelines against acts of intimidation and reprisal by various international bodies, and welcoming also the pledges by States to reject acts of intimidation or reprisal, Welcoming also the different roles of the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and the President of the Human Rights Council in supporting cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and in that context addressing, as appropriate, including in a public manner, acts of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations in this regard, Welcoming further the work done by the United Nations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in examining, verifying and corroborating allegations of acts of intimidation or reprisal, and encouraging it to continue its work in this regard, including in a gender-responsive manner, and with a particular focus on individuals in vulnerable situations or belonging to marginalized groups, while underlining the primary importance of continuous constructive dialogue and cooperation with and by the State concerned in order to strengthen the State’s capacity to comply with its human rights obligations, Welcoming the work done by the special procedures, and in particular the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, and the efforts by treaty bodies, to prevent and address acts of intimidation or reprisal, Noting with appreciation the role that regional mechanisms can play, where appropriate, in preventing and addressing acts of intimidation or reprisal, Recognizing the important role that national human rights institutions can play in preventing and addressing cases of reprisal as part of supporting the cooperation between States and the United Nations in the promotion of human rights, including by contributing to follow-up actions, as appropriate, to recommendations made by international human rights mechanisms, Reiterating that all States Members of the United Nations, and in particular the States Members of the Human Rights Council, should fully cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms, and affirming that failure to take steps to prevent, investigate and ensure accountability for acts of intimidation or reprisal may be inconsistent with this commitment, Expressing serious concern at the continued reports of acts of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and at the seriousness of reported reprisals, including violations of the right of the victim to life, liberty and security of person, and violations of obligations under international law prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Stressing that acts of intimidation or reprisal carried out or tolerated by the State undermine and often violate human rights, and underscoring that States should investigate any alleged act of intimidation or reprisal, ensure accountability and effective remedies and take steps to prevent further acts of intimidation or reprisal, 1. Reaffirms the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to unhindered access to and communication with international bodies, in particular the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, including the Human Rights Council, its special procedures, the universal periodic review mechanism and the treaty bodies, as well as regional human rights mechanisms, and bearing in mind that this is indispensable to enable the United Nations and its mechanisms to fulfil their mandates; 2. Condemns all acts of intimidation or reprisal, both online and offline, by State and non-State actors against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights; 3. Welcomes the efforts made by States to investigate allegations of acts of intimidation or reprisal and to bring perpetrators to justice, and encourages States to continue such efforts; 2