A/HRC/51/47
Council called for unhindered access to and communication with the United Nations without
fear of reprisals, intimidation or attack.50 Relevant names and additional details have been
withheld for fear of further reprisals.
Nicaragua
84.
Multiple United Nations actors continued to address the impact of restrictive laws on
civil society organizations on cooperation with the United Nations. 51 Over 130 NGOs,
including the main human rights NGOs, were closed down in the first quarter of 2022 for
non-compliance with a number of laws and regulations, thus limiting their capacity and
willingness to operate and cooperate with the United Nations. OHCHR received reports about
Nicaraguans choosing not to communicate with the United Nations due to fear of reprisals
against them and their families. 52 Reportedly, Ms. Christy Melissa Martínez Núñez was
subject to intimidation and surveillance following her engagement with the Working Group
on Arbitrary Detention about the case of Mr. John Christopher Cerna Zuñiga.
85.
The Human Rights Council condemned all acts of intimidation and reprisal, online
and offline, by State and non-State actors and called upon the “Government to prevent, refrain
from and publicly condemn, investigate and punish any acts of intimidation or reprisal”.53
86.
Annex II contains developments in the situations of Mr. Félix Alejandro Maradiaga,
Mr. Aníbal Toruño and the Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos and its staff.
Philippines
87.
Annex II contains developments in the situation of the Karapatan Alliance for the
Advancement of People’s Rights, and its Secretary-General, Ms. Cristina Palabay.
88.
On 26 July 2022 the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to
the present report.
Russian Federation
89.
Annex II contains developments on the effects that restrictive legislation, in particular
laws on “foreign agents” or “undesirable organizations”, have had on the willingness and
ability of civil society actors to engage with international bodies, including with the United
Nations.
Rwanda
90.
Special procedure mandate holders addressed allegations of intimidation and
harassment against Mr. Noël Zihabamwe and individuals associated with him following his
engagement with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances in order
to establish the fate and whereabouts of his brothers.54
Saudi Arabia
91.
Annex II contains developments in the situations of Ms. Loujain Al-Hathloul, Ms.
Samar Badawi, Mr. Fawzan Mohsen Awad Al-Harbi and Mr. Essa Al-Nukheifi.
92.
On 13 July 2022, the Government responded to the note verbale in connection to the
present report.
South Sudan
93.
The Human Rights Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
documented four incidents of reprisals or intimidation for actual or perceived cooperation
with the United Nations. The cases were allegedly perpetrated by the National Security
50
51
52
53
54
Human Rights Council resolution 49/23, para. 19, and resolution 47/1, para. 13.
A/HRC/48/28, annex I, para. 80.
See https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1s/k1sk8m7sc5.
See Human Rights Council resolution 49/3.
See RWA 2/2021.
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