A/72/53/Add.1 Recalling also General Assembly resolution 65/281 of 17 June 2011, in which the Assembly adopted the text entitled “Outcome of the review of the work and functioning of the Human Rights Council”, and in particular paragraph 30 of the outcome document, in which the Human Rights Council strongly rejected any act of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and urged States to prevent and ensure adequate protection against such acts, Recalling further all previous Human Rights Council resolutions and decisions on this topic, Taking note with appreciation of the reports of the Secretary-General on this question, and in particular noting with concern the worsening incidence, severity and scope of cases of intimidation and reprisal against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, Reiterating that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue, and be aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all people, Welcoming the designation of the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights by the Secretary-General as senior official to lead the efforts within the United Nations system to address acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations on human rights, Welcoming also the different roles of the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner 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, Noting with appreciation the work done by the special procedures, including the development of standard operating procedures on the topic and the appointment of a focal point on the matter by members of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, and the inclusion of a dedicated section on reprisals in the annual report of special procedures presented to the Human Rights Council at every March session, as well as the increased attention given by treaty bodies to preventing and addressing acts of intimidation or reprisal, in particular by the adoption and implementation of specific guidelines and the appointment by a number of treaty bodies of a rapporteur on reprisals, Noting with appreciation also the role that regional mechanisms can play, where appropriate, in preventing and addressing acts of intimidation or reprisal, in particular the appointment by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights of a focal point on reprisals, 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 and 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, Acknowledging 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, Recalling the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), and underlining the role that national human rights institutions can play in preventing and addressing cases of GE.17-18194 57