A/HRC/51/47 to obtain prior approval for movements within Houthi-controlled areas, have on occasion served to discourage engagement with the United Nations and to encourage self-censorship.66 112. The United Nations Panel of Experts on Yemen reported the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists and human rights defenders and threats against them, impeding their ability to identify and report on international human rights law violations.67 113. The Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen mandated by the Human Rights Council expressed “concern over the protracted climate of fear in Yemen, which deters victims, witnesses and organizations from engaging with the Group or giving consent to use the information”.68 114. Annex II contains developments in the situations of Mr. Abdulmajeed Sabrah, the Mwatana Organization for Human Rights and members of its staff, including the head of Mwatana, Ms. Radhya Al-Mutawakel, and Mr. Akram al-Shawafi and his co-workers at Watch for Human Rights. 115. On 15 July 2022, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report. State of Palestine 116. Annex II contains developments in the situations of several Palestinian and international women’s organizations and activists VII. Conclusions and recommendations 117. The number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisal by State and non-State actors against individuals or groups seeking to cooperate or having cooperated with the United Nations remained high during the reporting period. While this is partly the result of improved documentation and reporting, cases received are assessed as nonexhaustive. As in previous reports, additional cases have been excluded from the present report and many remain unreported due to protection concerns. 118. Cases and situations included over the years in these reports and featured in annex II are more than isolated incidents. As underlined in previous reports, recurring allegations reinforce the assertion that repeated similar incidents over several reporting periods can signal patterns. I also note that when multiple United Nations actors raise concerns about cases or situations during a reporting period, it can be a sign of widespread and severe incidents of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the Organization. This deserves our continuous engagement, especially when civic space is increasingly being eroded. 119. United Nations actors have documented the application of laws and other instruments regulating NGOs and their access to funding, including foreign funds and donations, and imposing onerous reporting and tax requirements. Such laws have forced the dissolution of some NGOs, impeded their registration and imposed unnecessary and disproportionate requirements that have placed additional obstacles for civil society’s engagement and human rights advocacy efforts at the United Nations. United Nations actors have also documented and reported the misuse of counterterrorism laws against civil society organizations and individuals for their humanitarian and human rights work and for their cooperation with the United Nations. United Nations actors have raised concerns about the enactment and application of national security laws establishing criminal liability for sharing of information with international actors. Such laws run the risk of triggering or being 66 67 68 16 A/HRC/48/28, annex I, paras. 131–132. New requirements were introduced by the Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation through the adoption of Circular No. 29 of 29 August 2021. S/2022/50, para. 97. A/HRC/48/20, para. 10.

Select target paragraph3