A/HRC/27/38 applications deferred from earlier sessions. The Committee recommended 158 NGOs for consultative status, deferred consideration of the applications of 153 others until its regular session in 2015, closed consideration of 29 applications without prejudice and took note of the withdrawal of the applications of two NGOs.17 Consultative status confers access to the United Nations and many of its mechanisms and several stakeholders have raised concerns about the large number of deferrals and perceived lack of transparency in decisions on consultative status. I note how important it is that the Committee applies the criteria for assessing NGOs in a transparent and fair manner. 9. I reiterate my view that a consistent approach by all regional and international human rights bodies vis-à-vis reprisals and intimidation is essential. In this context, I welcome the adoption of resolution 273 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its fifty-fifth session, held from 28 April to 12 May 2014, in which it decided to extend the scope of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders in Africa to include issues relating to reprisals against human rights defenders cooperating with the African human rights system. II. Information received on cases of reprisal for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights A. Methodological framework 10. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 12/2, the present report contains information regarding acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who: • Seek to cooperate, or have cooperated with, the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, or who have provided testimony or information to them • Avail or have availed themselves of procedures established under the auspices of the United Nations for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them for that purpose • Submit or have submitted communications under procedures established by human rights instruments, and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them for that purpose • Are relatives of victims of human rights violations or of those who have provided legal or other assistance to victims 11. The present report covers the period from 16 June 2013 to 31 May 2014. The information received has been verified with the primary sources and corroborated by other sources. In most cases, reference is made to the public United Nations documentation in which the information included in the present report was first published. Follow-up information, including relevant correspondence, is included on those cases in which victims of intimidation or reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights were mentioned in my previous two reports. 12. It should be stressed that the cases included in the present report are only the tip of the iceberg. In line with the principle of do no harm, some cases have not been included 17 E/2014/32 (Part II). 5