A/HRC/4/58 page 2 Summary The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council decision 2/102 of 6 October 2006 which “requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the High Commissioner to continue with the fulfilment of their activities, in accordance with all previous decisions adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and to update the relevant reports and studies” and Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/9. By this resolution, the Commission reiterated its concern at the continued reports of intimidation and reprisals against private individuals and groups who seek to cooperate with the United Nations and representatives of its human rights bodies. The Commission also expressed deep concern at the continued seriousness of such reported reprisals and that victims suffer violations of the most fundamental human rights, including the right to life, liberty and security of person, as well as the right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Commission also expressed concerns at reports about incidents where private individuals have been hampered in their efforts to avail themselves of procedures established under United Nations auspices for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Secretary-General is invited to submit at the fourth session of the Human Rights Council an update to his previous report (E/CN.4/2006/30), containing a compilation and analysis of any available information, from all appropriate sources, on alleged reprisals against those referred to in the resolution. The present report is submitted in accordance with that invitation. Chapter I of the report refers to information gathered and brought to the attention of the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, as well as to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights over the period under review. The replies received from two Governments to two of these communications have also been included in the report. It lays out the methodological framework according to which action for the protection of victims of reprisals was taken by the bodies or mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. It also gives an account of situations in which persons have reportedly been intimidated or suffered reprisals for having cooperated with United Nations human rights bodies, for having availed themselves of international procedures, for having provided legal assistance for this purpose and/or as relatives of victims of human rights violations. It should be noted that, in many instances, it has not been possible to record in this report additional cases due to specific security concerns or because the individuals exposed to reprisals have explicitly requested that their cases should not be raised publicly. It should also be noted that the information included in this report is reflected in the latest reports presented by each of the mechanisms to the General Assembly or the Human Rights Council. The report further analyses the main features of reported acts of reprisal and also depicts the victims of such abuses. Chapter II is devoted to concluding remarks. The report underlines the continued seriousness of such reprisals as victims suffer violations of the most fundamental human rights. The gravity of reported acts of reprisal reinforces the need for all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies in cooperation with States to continue to take urgent steps to help prevent the occurrence of such acts.