A/HRC/RES/36/21 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 intimidation or reprisal as part of supporting cooperation between their Governments and the United Nations in the promotion of human rights, including by contributing to the prevention of such cases and to follow up actions, as appropriate, to recommendations made by international human rights mechanisms, Recognizing 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, while underlining the primary importance of continuous constructive dialogue and cooperation with and by the State concerned, 1. Reaffirms the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to unhindered access to and communication with international bodies, in particular the 2