A/HRC/48/28
Disappearances37 and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women38
each adopted guidelines to prevent and address intimidation and reprisals against those
cooperating with them.
24.
Reprisals against national human rights institutions, including in the context of
cooperation with the United Nations, continues to be a standing agenda item of the tripartite
partnership between OHCHR, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the
Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. Their guidelines developed in 2016
are currently being updated to reflect the changes in the new United Nations resident
coordinator system.39
25.
The World Bank40 continues to track and respond to credible allegations consistent
with the environmental and social framework directive on addressing risks and impacts on
disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups. The Inspection Panel received 150
complaints concerning 128 projects, of which 73 projects (57 per cent) raised either
allegations of reprisals or included requests for confidentiality. The International Finance
Corporation released its first comprehensive guidance note for the private sector on
screening, preventing and responding to reprisals in collaboration with Inter-American
Development Bank Invest.41
26.
The new policy of the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency and the Independent Accountability Mechanism, which covers threats and
reprisals, commits the three entities to coordinating on reprisals cases.
27.
UNDP updated its corporate social and environmental standards 42 to include
strengthened provisions on identifying, reducing and addressing the risk of retaliation and
reprisals, which are reflected in the policy itself and in the UNDP screening procedure for all
projects.
V. Ensuring access to the United Nations, its representatives and
mechanisms in the field of human rights
28.
The obstacles facing individuals and organizations who have spoken out in United
Nations forums have been covered in previous reports. Reported attempts by State
representatives to block or delay the accreditation of certain civil society representatives
continue to be received. Incidents of individuals photographed or surveilled or whose
movements and statements are recorded without their consent at, or during travel to, United
Nations meetings continue to be reported. Reports of threats made against, and the
harassment and stigmatization of, individuals and non-governmental organizations during
online United Nations meetings and against those who publicly contribute to the work of the
Organization or have their cases considered by United Nations bodies and mechanisms
continue to be received.
29.
Human rights components of peace missions and others involved in the protection of
civilians reported persistent challenges in reaching individuals and communities. In addition,
obstacles to staff members’ human rights monitoring and humanitarian assistance activities
were reported. The Security Council urged States to ensure full and unhindered access and
37
38
39
40
41
42
6
CED/C/8.
See https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/CEDAW/ReprisalsGuidelines.docx.
See https://ganhri.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Marrakech-Declaration_ENG_-12102018FINAL.pdf
See https://www.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/environmental-and-socialframework/brief/world-bank-commitments-against-reprisals.
See
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/sustainabilityat-ifc/publications/publications_gpn_reprisalrisks.
See https://www.undp.org/accountability/social-and-environmental-responsibility/social-andenvironmental-standards.