A/HRC/27/38 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 12/2, in which the Council invited the Secretary-General to submit an annual report to the Council on alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. Since the adoption of that resolution, I have reported on the latest developments within the United Nations system in relation to acts of intimidation and reprisal by States and non-State actors vis-à-vis individuals and groups for their cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, and alleged cases that cover a wide range of violations, from threats, travel bans and arbitrary detention to torture and, sadly, death. I have repeatedly stated that such acts are unacceptable and undermine the functioning of the United Nations as a whole, including that of its human rights mechanisms. 2. I welcome General Assembly resolution 68/181 of 18 December 2013 on promotion of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: protecting women human rights defenders, in which the Assembly called upon States to refrain from, and ensure adequate protection against, any act of intimidation or reprisal against women human rights defenders who cooperate, have cooperated or seek to cooperate with international institutions and reaffirmed the right of everyone to unhindered access to, and communication with, international bodies, in particular the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms.1 I also welcome General Assembly resolution 68/268 of 9 April 2014on strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system, in which the Assembly condemned all acts of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and groups for their contribution to the work of the human rights treaty bodies and urged States to take appropriate action.2 3. In its resolution 24/24 of 27 September 2013 on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, the Human Rights Council urged States to take preventive steps against reprisals, ensure accountability once they had occurred and encouraged States to establish national focal points. It also requested me to designate a United Nations-wide senior focal point on reprisals.3 Consideration of and action on Council resolution 24/24 was deferred by the General Assembly to allow time for further consultations, with the Assembly deciding to conclude its consideration of the resolution before the end of its sixty-eighth session.4 On 19 March 2014, at the twentyfifth session of the Human Rights Council, Botswana made a statement on behalf of 54 countries, stressing the need to address reprisals and expressing the hope that Council resolution 24/24 would be followed through at the General Assembly.5 The Council adopted other resolutions addressing the issue of reprisals, including resolution 24/7 on arbitrary detention6 and resolution 24/21 on civil society space: creating and maintaining, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment. 4. On several occasions during the reporting period, I expressed grave concern about reprisals, including during the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council on 3 March 1 General Assembly resolution 68/181, paras. 17–18. General Assembly resolution 68/268, para. 8. 3 Human Rights Council resolution 24/24, para. 7. 4 General Assembly resolution 68/144, paras. 2–3. 5 General debate on agenda item 5, statement delivered by Botswana, available from http://webtv.un.org. 6 Human Rights Council resolution 24/7, para. 10. 2 3