A/HRC/54/61
Saudi Arabia
106. Annex II contains information on developments in the situations of Mr. Mohammad
Fahad Al Qahtani, Mr. Fawzan Mohsen Awad Al-Harbi and Mr. Essa Al-Nukheifi.
South Sudan
107. The Human Rights Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
documented two separate incidents of intimidation and death threats against two individuals
for their engagement with the United Nations. Names and details have been withheld due to
fear of further reprisals.
108. UNMISS has gathered testimonies of members of the public, journalists, human rights
activists and members of civil society organizations who feared having their cases raised by
the United Nations due to the risk of reprisals.61
United Arab Emirates
109. In its concluding observations of 2022, the Committee against Torture expressed
concern at reports of torture or ill-treatment of detainees in reprisal for their cooperation with
the United Nations.62
United Republic of Tanzania
110. Mr. Edward Porokwa of the Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental
Organization’s Forum (PINGO’s Forum) and also a civil society representative of the Maasai
people of the Loliondo Division of the Ngorongoro District, was reportedly subjected to
intimidation by representatives of the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania
to the United Nations during a session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and
expressed fear of retribution for his engagement in the Forum. Members of the Forum
discussed the incidents during the session with representatives of the State concerned.
Uzbekistan
111. OHCHR has documented incidents of reprisals by law enforcement bodies affecting
6 civil society activists and 14 individuals who engaged or sought to engage with the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the context of the latter’s visit to
Uzbekistan. The High Commissioner and his Office addressed the incidents with the
authorities. Names and details have been withheld due to fear of further reprisals. Ms. Elena
Urlaeva, a civil society activist who was invited to a meeting with the High Commissioner,
reportedly faced obstacles in accessing the United Nations building in Tashkent prior to the
meeting.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
112. The tabling of a bill on the control, regularization, performance and financing of
non-governmental and related organizations has reportedly exacerbated concern by
United Nations actors with regard to the growing number of restrictive regulations impacting
civil society’s ability and willingness to carry out its work, including cooperation with the
United Nations.63
113. State actors allegedly intimidated two male trade unionists, including Mr. Douglas
Gonzalez, and Ms. María Fernanda Rodríguez, a woman human rights defender, following
their meetings, or attempts to meet, with the High Commissioner during the latter’s visit to
61
62
63
GE.23-15378
A/HRC/52/CRP.3, paras. 327 and 407.
CAT/C/ARE/CO/1, para, 13. See also A/HRC/45/36, annex II, paras. 126–133.
A/HRC/47/55 para. 47; A/HRC/50/59 paras. 52–53; and communications VEN 6/2019, VEN 5/2020
and VEN 8/2021. See government replies at:
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34948 and
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36433.
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