A/HRC/54/61 and 23rd periodic reports of France. Ms. Traoré is a woman human rights defender, founder of the organization Comité Verité et Justice pour Adama and the sister of Mr. Adama Traoré, who died in July 2016 while in police custody (FRA 1/2017 and 10/2021).38 47. On 14 and 15 November 2023, the Committee had an exchange with Ms. Assa Traoré during a closed meeting with civil society where Ms. Traoré provided testimony about the case of her brother. Ms. Traoré posted information about her exchange with the Committee in her social media accounts. Following her posts, libellous messages against Ms. Traoré were published, including in the Twitter accounts of the Union of Commissioners of the National Police (SCPN) and the Union France Police, denigrating Ms. Traoré and her engagement with the Committee. In its concluding observations of 2 December 2022, the Committee urged the State Party to ensure Ms. Traoré’s safety, take disciplinary measures, conduct the necessary investigations and, where appropriate, initiate legal proceedings against the public officials associated with the messages and threats (CERD/C/FRA/CO/2223, paras. 27–28). 48. According to information received by OHCHR, on 8 and 9 December 2022, close relatives of Ms. Traoré received copies of some of the Twitter smearing messages and online articles echoing them. On 9 December, those concerned filed a police report due to fears that online threats could move offline. 49. On 12 January 2023, the Government responded 39 to the Committee’s letter, expressing gratitude for the information and confirming the free choice of the Committee to engage with members of civil society. The authorities expressed their determination to prevent and respond to any act of intimidation and reprisals against anyone having cooperated with the United Nations. The authorities noted that they are attentive to Ms. Taroré’s safety and that of her close relatives and had informed that the Paris Office of the Public Prosecutor had started a criminal investigation. 10. Guatemala 50. Multiple United Nations actors noted concerns about new alleged cases of intimidation, dismissal, and criminal proceedings against magistrates, judges, and prosecutors for their work on cases investigated with the technical assistance of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The CICIG operated in the country for 12 years (2007–2019) based on an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Guatemala. During the reporting period, coordinated and targeted smearing, threats, intimidation and gender-based violence in the digital space continued to be reported against justice officials and lawyers, including in relation to their work with CICIG. 51. On 20 December 2022,40 18 January41 and 30 March 2023,42 the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the repeated intimidation, harassment and reprisals against justice officials, including those who worked for or cooperated with the CICIG, and individuals involved in efforts to combat impunity for human rights violations or working on high-profile anti-corruption cases. On 18 January 2023,43 the 38 39 40 41 42 43 28 See government replies at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33459, https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36822. See government reply at: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/DownloadDraft.aspx?key=hot5z0drKAT 9oxO6h/uLZ6PszUFTdrkZcvTwC0pUaCHLvCo5LipNJdhaUOlW/BBdCS2+x10Fkuv09cEX4gwctg ==. https://twitter.com/UNHumanRights/status/1605162770873421824. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/01/guatemala-un-human-rights-chief-volker-turkexpresses-deep-concern. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/guatemala-turk-warns-against-reprisals-targetingjustice-officials. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/highlight/2023-01-18.html. GE.23-15378