A/HRC/51/47
human rights violations and leave the region as soon as possible. In February 2022, while
Mr. Al-Shawafi was driving with his family, their car was blocked by a group of gunmen
near his area of residence. The attackers allegedly threatened him and said they were
watching every movement and that of his family members. Mr. Akram al-Shawafi has
reportedly filed reports with the police for both incidents but has thus far been unable to get
a copy of the registration of his complaint filed.
31.
State of Palestine
160. The case of several Palestinian and international women’s organizations and activists
was included in the 2020 and 2021 reports of the Secretary General207 concerning allegations
of smearing, intimidation and threats against them for their support for the Convention on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and their actual or perceived
engagement with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women, including for calling for the expedited review and adoption of the draft Family
Protection Law with the Committee. (CEDAW/C/PSE/CO/1, para. 15c).
161. OHCHR has documented that such acts of intimidation and reprisals by non-state
actors, including individuals and religious and conservative groups, continued during the
reporting period against one of the women who was threatened in June 2020, and other
women human rights defenders. In March 2022, posts on social media on a Facebook page
entitled “Mass movement against CEDAW” mentioned that the woman “should be afraid”
and reportedly labelled these women human rights defenders as “collaborators with the
enemy and feminists that must be stopped.” Names and further details are withheld due to
fear of further intimidation and reprisals. On 31 March 2022, the woman human rights
defender concerned allegedly submitted a complaint to the Palestinian Attorney General. As
of 30 of April 2022, the woman human rights defender had not been informed of any
investigative or other steps taken regarding her complaint.
162. OHCHR continued to receive information that some detainees in the custody of
Palestinian authorities who had been interviewed by OHCHR staff subsequently faced threats
and ill-treatment or torture. In the West Bank, several detainees refused to speak to human
rights professionals stating they feared reprisals. In Gaza, arrested individuals alleged illtreatment or torture further to cooperation with the United Nations.208 Following a visit by
OHCHR one detainee later reported that he had been questioned by detention officers about
his communication with OHCHR and subjected to repeated stress positions while handcuffed
and blindfolded, as well as beatings on his feet with batons. OHCHR has raised these
concerns with the relevant authorities. Names and further details are withheld due to fear of
further reprisals.
207
208
A/HRC/45/36, para. 128, Annex 1 paras. 159–61 and A/HRC/48/28 paras. 162–165.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report in February 2022, A/HRC/49/83, para. 53.
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