A/HRC/54/61 representative of the Confederación de Sindicatos Autónomos (CODESA). Mr Negrín’s arrest followed his participation at the first session of the Social Dialogue Forum, which took place from 25 to 28 April 2022 in Caracas (VEN 4/2022).89 Mandate holders addressed Mr. Negrín’s arrest on 5 July 2022 by members of Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM) on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime. Mandate holders also noted that allegations of arrests of trade unionists could have a deterrent effect on civil society in the country, including those collaborating with the ILO, who might stop carrying out their legitimate work for fear of reprisals (VEN 4/2022). 122. The March 2023 ILO issued a follow-up report90 on further developments, in which it addressed the Social Dialogue Forum and the implementation of the plan of action addressed the situation of Mr. Negrín. The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Regulations also addressed the case of Mr. Negrín in its 2023 report to the 11th Session of International Labour Conference regretting the lack of specific information provided by the Government on the case (ILC.111/III.A, pages 323–324). According to information received by the United Nations, Mr. Negrín has reportedly been visited in detention by high-level officials and urged to sign the April 2022 Social Dialogue Forum outcome document in exchange for his release. As of 30 of April 2023, he remains in detention. 123. In its September 2022 report to the Human Rights Council, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission noted that the investigation leading to the drafting of its report ‘faced a series of limitations in particular due to security concerns, including victims’ fear of reprisals’. They further noted that security concerns would likely curtail the Mission’s ability to conduct effective investigations in the country (A/HRC/51/43, para. 7). In October 2022, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 51/29 on the situation of human rights in Venezuela urging Venezuela to ensure that all individuals have unhindered access to and can communicate with the United Nations and other human rights entities without fear of reprisal, intimidation or attack (A/HRC/RES/51/29, OP 11). 26. Viet Nam 124. The 2022 United Nations Country Annual Results report of Viet Nam 91 noted that the space in which civil society organizations operate has narrowed with the exercise of greater government control over their activities, 92 discouraging civil society organizations’ partnership with the UN. As a result, many organizations have avoided registering as CSOs/NGOs and explored other legal modalities. The report notes that the NGOs most affected are those working on human rights, gender equality and discrimination, the rule of law and governance. Government partners and civil society organizations expressed reluctance to engage with international human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies (page 66). 125. According to information received by OHCHR, the arbitrary application of restrictive legislation, including vaguely defined provisions in the Criminal Code related to propaganda against the State and the NGO regulatory framework,93 negatively impacted on the ability and willingness of civil society organizations to engage with the United Nations. During the period, civil society organizations were allegedly hesitant to engage with the United Nations as implementing partners or to receive funds from the United Nations for fear of being investigated and found in violation of the complex and vague taxation legislation.94 Several 89 90 91 92 93 94 GE.23-15378 https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_722456/lang--en/index.htm. GB.347/INS/13(Rev.1), paras. 21 and 31. https://vietnam.un.org/sites/default/files/202306/2022%20UN%20in%20Viet%20Nam%20Annual%20Results%20Report.pdf. In line with Government Decrees 80/2020/ND-CP on non-ODA aid, 114/2021/ND-CP on ODA management, and PM Decision 06/2020/QD-TTg on organization and management of international meetings and workshops in Viet Nam. VNM 7/2021. See government reply at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36915. https://bangkok.ohchr.org/viet-nam-rights-defenders/. 41