A/HRC/45/36
partners to cooperate freely and safely with the Organization. In April 2020, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for innovative thinking in the
response, but also in the eventual recovery, through flexible channels for remote
participation, videoconferencing and cost-effective and accessible online platforms that
respect privacy, including at the Human Rights Council, in order to bring in civil society
from all corners of the world in a more representative and affordable way. 14
13.
The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of
association called on the Organization to continue to make available broadcasts and
archival footage of open sessions, and, where feasible, facilitate civil society’s participation
via video link.15
IV. Policy developments and good practices
14.
In 2019, some Member States and civil society welcomed efforts to document good
practices to prevent and address reprisals. 16 These include legislative frameworks ensuring
the right to have access to and communicate and cooperate with international bodies,
guidelines or State pledges against reprisals, efforts to ensure accountability and offer
remedy, and financial support and diplomatic interventions for individuals at risk. 17
15.
There are several ongoing initiatives to improve guidance and reporting. In
December 2019, OHCHR continued its consultations within the United Nations system to
enhance the Organization’s response. In May 2020, OHCHR held an online discussion with
United Nations staff to improve internal practice and coordination.
16.
The United Nations Development Programme, OHCHR and the Global Alliance of
National Human Rights Institutions continued to implement their 2016 guidelines
(A/HRC/42/30, para. 8). OHCHR developed internal guidance and cooperated with the
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women)
on a strategic response to strengthen support for women human rights defenders, focusing
on protection and reprisals.
17.
The community engagement guidelines on peacebuilding and sustaining peace,
developed in 2020 by the Peacebuilding Support Office, provide guidance for the safety
and protection of civil society partners in restricted environments, including documenting
and condemning intimidation and reprisals and devising protection measures.
18.
The treaty bodies highlighted that States are regularly requested to adopt interim
measures to protect alleged victims, their family members and counsel while individual
communications are being considered (HRI/MC/2020/2/Rev.1, paras. 36–38). In December
2019, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination adopted guidelines to
address intimidation and reprisals. 18
19.
In March 2020, the World Bank issued a statement of no tolerance of reprisals and
retaliation related to Bank-financed projects.19 During the reporting period, the Compliance
Advisor Ombudsman has maintained an online database of cases, of which reprisals is one
category.20
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
4
See http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/virtual-meeting-of-human-rightscouncil/6148322630001/?term.
See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25788&LangID=E.
See http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/watch/id-asg-on-sg-report-on-reprisals-22nd-meeting-42ndregular-session-human-rights-council/6087685267001/?term=; http://webtv.un.org/meetingsevents/watch/id-contd-asg-on-sg-report-on-reprisals-23rd-meeting-42nd-regular-session-humanrights-council/6087706058001/?term= and
www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Reprisals/Pages/GoodPractices.aspx.
For example, Human Rights Council resolution 42/28, para. 6.
Available at
https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/cerd/Shared%20Documents/1_Global/int_cerd_rle_9029_E.docx.
Available at https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/environmental-and-socialframework/brief/world-bank-commitments-against-reprisals.
Available at www.cao-ombudsman.org/cases.