UN urges end to reprisals against human rights collaborators

The United Nations has called for an end to intimidation and reprisals targeting individuals who cooperate with it on human rights issues, stressing the need to ensure their protection and hold perpetrators accountable for violations.

The appeal came in a report by the UN Secretary-General, which documented incidents in 32 countries involving human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, unionists, and victims of violations. The cases ranged from arbitrary detention and assaults to surveillance, threats, online harassment, travel restrictions, passport confiscation, and intimidation of families.

The report also warned of the increasing use of digital technologies and legislation related to counterterrorism, cybercrime, and national security to restrict civil society activity and silence those cooperating with international human rights mechanisms.

The United Nations emphasized that ensuring the safety of its collaborators and their families is essential for continued cooperation with civil society and for fulfilling the organization’s mandate. It called on states to strengthen protection measures and provide a safe environment for human rights defenders.