A/HRC/54/61 referred to the further shrinking and deterioration of the civic space in Libya. Several UN actors called for the need to protect civil society and women’s rights organizations, human rights defenders, women peacebuilders, and victims and witnesses from threats, intimidation, reprisals and violence (online and offline).50 64. The Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Division (HRS) of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reported several incidents of reprisals against victims and human rights defenders, including women, for cooperation with the United Nations. Incidents included acts of intimidation, death threats, and the confiscation of passports and related travel bans. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals. 65. In February 2023, a woman human rights defender was questioned for her cooperation with UNSMIL HRS. Other human rights defenders faced similar interrogations in February and April 2023, where they were asked about their cooperation with UNSMIL HRS. In all instances, the individuals concerned were questioned by state officials and accused of supporting spies, with the aim of destroying the Libyan National Army in the east. 66. In early March 2023, a human rights defender was summoned for questioning by security agents at Mitiga airport base prison. The following day, the defender was questioned about human rights activities and visits to the UN compound and was made aware that the days and details of meetings with the UN were known to the security agents. The defender was informed that interactions with the UN (and international NGOs) could be considered a hostile action against the State and an act of espionage punishable with heavy penalties. Security agents confiscated the defender’s passport, and currently the defender is reportedly banned from leaving Libyan territory until further notice. In March 2023, another human rights defender and victim of human rights violations, reportedly received death threats via text messages from a state security actor in the east, accusing the defender of providing information to UNSMIL HRS. 67. UNSMIL also documented the intimidation of lawyers cooperating with the Mission in providing legal aid to conflict-related victims. In April 2023, a lawyer from a legal aid coalition received calls from unidentified state security actors stating that they were not pleased with coordination activities between the United Nations and his clients. 68. In March 2023, in its final report to the Human Rights Council, the Independent FactFinding Mission on Libya reported that the climate of fear surrounding witnesses and civil society had frequently hampered the Mission’s engagements. Reportedly, there were instances when groups and individuals declined to meet with the Mission in particular locations, or at all, because of fear of reprisal. The Mission reported that attacks against, inter alia, human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, journalists and civil society associations created an atmosphere of fear that led to self-censorship, hiding or exile at a time when it is necessary to create an atmosphere that is conducive to free and fair elections. (A/HRC/52/83, paras. 24 and 68). 14. Mali 69. During the reporting period, the Secretary-General, 51 the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights52 and the United Nations Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Mali,53 expressed serious concerns about the continued shrinking of civic 50 51 52 53 GE.23-15378 A/HRC/50/63, para. 111, (j); S/2023/248, para. 95. S/2023/36 para. 28 and para. 46. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/02/un-human-rights-chief-volker-turk-deploresexpulsion-representative-mali; https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/03/globalupdate-high-commissioner-outlines-concerns-over-40-countries. A/HRC/52/81, para. 36; https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/ml/2022-0815/EOM_Statement_IE_Mali_August2022.pdf; https://www.ohchr.org/fr/pressreleases/2023/02/mali-transitional-authorities-must-protect-civic-space-respect-freedom; https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/03/human-rights-council-hears-security-situation-mali-veryconcerning-and-severe. 31