A/HRC/60/62 100. Specifically, Article 21(c) of the law classifies as a “very serious offence” the improper use of international cooperation funds, including their use “to advice, assist, or finance, in any form or manner, administrative, judicial or other types of actions in national or international instances against the Peruvian State.” Such “serious” and “very serious” infractions, are subject to penalties, including fines, of up to USD 700,000, suspension of activities, and cancellation of the organization’s legal registration, (Article 22). 101. Some civil society organizations that receive international cooperation funds have expressed serious concern about potential liability under the law for their engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms and fear it could be used against those that provide legal representation to victims of human rights violations and/or submit cases and communications to United Nations international human rights mechanisms. Reportedly, the legislation could lead to reprisals and self-censorship and may deter individuals and organizations from seeking or continuing cooperation with the United Nations in cases involving human rights violations or abuses. 102. According to information received by OHCHR, the broadly defined infractions, and broad scope of the law create legal uncertainty and may enable discretionary application. The law also imposes additional administrative requirements on organizations receiving international cooperation funds. All such organizations must register with APCI, disclose plans, programs, and financial sources and obtain prior approval before implementing international cooperation-funded activities (Article 4.u, Article 5). APCI may also cancel an organization’s registration in cases of repeated “very serious infractions” (Article 22) and is authorized to report suspected misuses of funds to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, potentially triggering criminal investigations against organizations (Article 21). 103. On 30 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report informing that the Intersectoral Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders had followed up on the allegations of reprisals against Mr. Rimac Damián. The Mechanism had documented the risks and taken the necessary actions to assess appropriate measures. The Government also noted that the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is responsible for implementing the Mechanism through its General Directorate of Human Rights. 104. With regard to Law No. 32301, which amends the law creating the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation, the Government affirmed that State bodies are primarily responsible for ensuring the compatibility of domestic legislation with the Constitution and Peru’s international human rights obligations. It also referred to the legal mechanisms available to challenge any law or act that may contravene these obligations and emphasized that the State bears responsibility for safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms and does not intend to use domestic law to justify non-compliance with international obligations. 18. Russian Federation 105. During the reporting period, OHCHR documented four allegations of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations as described below. 106. On 30 July 2024, Special Procedures mandate holders addressed allegations concerning the arrest, ill-treatment and pre-trial detention of Mr. Alexey Sokolov, reportedly in connection with his human rights work as well as reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, in relation to a police search of his residence and seizure of private documents. Mr. Sokolov is a human rights defender, and founder of the NGO “Pravovaya Osnava,” addressing human rights violations in detention in Russia. (AL RUS 5/2024) 107. On 5 July 2024, Mr. Sokolov was arrested and detained on charges of “repeated demonstration of extremist symbols,” under part 1 of Article 282.4, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which carry a sentence of up to four years imprisonment. Earlier the same day, law enforcement officials had reportedly conducted a search of his apartment and seized various documents, including powers of attorney, authorizing Mr. Sokolov to represent alleged victims of ill-treatment before United Nations treaty bodies. Reportedly, photographs of these documents were later published on a pro-government channel, which 33