A/HRC/11/2 page 23 IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS A. Reprisals against persons cooperating with special procedures 66. Intimidation of, or retaliation against, those cooperating with special procedures mandate holders is a problem that threatens the very foundations of the Council’s work in protecting human rights. Urgent measures are needed to respond to any such reported incidents. The following steps should be taken: (a) The Council should urge Governments, United Nations field presences and special procedures mandate holders to give particular attention to the protection of persons who have cooperated with a mandate holder; (b) Given the need to be able to respond promptly and meaningfully to any reports of serious or continuing harassment, the Council should define appropriate mechanisms to make representations to the Government concerned in a timely and effective manner and to monitor situations; (c) Civil society organizations and States through their diplomatic missions should continue to enhance arrangements to provide financial and other assistance to individuals who are at risk, including, where necessary, providing assistance in relocation to a secure place; (d) The Coordination Committee for Special Procedures should pursue this issue following an exchange of views among mandate holders at their annual meeting. B. Execution of juvenile offenders 67. The prohibition on executing juvenile offenders is a clear and very important violation of international human rights standards. It is being openly and systematically flouted in one Member State, in violation of that State’s treaty obligations. In its resolution 10/2, the Council urged all States to ensure that the practice was eliminated and requested special procedures mandate holders to make specific recommendations in this regard, including proposals for advisory services and technical assistance measures. The President of the Council should designate a member of the Council Bureau to seek to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran to engage in consultations with all stakeholders with a view to identifying appropriate measures that can be taken to bring an immediate halt to the sentencing and execution of juvenile offenders. C. The killing of witches 68. The Council should acknowledge that it is entirely unacceptable for individuals accused of witchcraft to be killed, including through extrajudicial processes. It should call upon Governments to ensure that all such killings are treated as murder and investigated, prosecuted and punished accordingly. -----