A/HRC/14/19 7. In determining the modalities of its universal periodic review, in its resolution 5/1 the Human Rights Council also stated that the mechanism should ensure the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including NGOs and national human rights institutions, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 60/251 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, as well as any decisions that the Council may take in this regard. The Human Rights Council further stated that one of the objectives of the review should be the encouragement of full cooperation and engagement with the Council, other human rights bodies and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Documentation for the universal periodic review should comprise additional, credible and reliable information provided by other relevant stakeholders to be taken into consideration by the Council in the review. 8. In General Assembly resolutions on various international instruments and their related monitoring bodies, working with civil society, in particular NGOs, has been highlighted as important and has been encouraged.2 9. As respect for human rights is a pillar of the United Nations, everyone should have the opportunity to interact with the Organization, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights without fear. The continued occurrence of intimidation and reprisals due to cooperation with the United Nations on human rights issues is of deep concern and has been addressed by several United Nations bodies and mechanisms. 10. In her statement before the Human Rights Council on 4 March 2010, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that she has information, as have special procedures, that individuals have faced reprisals following their cooperation with human rights mechanisms. She urged States to ensure that those who are in contact with special procedures are protected against reprisals. 11. Several special procedures mandate holders have established specific procedures to address and give visibility to cases of reprisals to help curb this phenomenon. For example, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions dedicated a part of his 2009 report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/11/2) to the issue of protecting persons cooperating with special procedures from reprisals. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also decided to include in its annual report any case of reprisals for cooperation with the Working Group brought to its attention. In this context, it is worth mentioning that, within the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, established by the Council in its resolution 7/8, the Special Rapporteur was requested, inter alia, “to seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation and the rights of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms”. 12. By making cases of reprisals public as requested by the Human Rights Council, the present report contributes to the fight against impunity with regard to reprisals and intimidation for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, with the aim of curbing these unacceptable practices. 2 GE.10-13228 See for example General Assembly resolutions 63/243 on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination or 64/138 on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 5