A/HRC/14/19 Basha, Chair of the Sisters’ Arab Forum for Human Rights. The forum is an NGO which monitors and documents cases of torture in Yemen. 49. In the evening of 22 November 2009, the offices of the Sisters’ Arab Forum for Human Rights were broken into by unknown individuals and the premises were searched, materials in the archives were compromised and some electronic equipment was damaged. On 20 and 21 November 2009, Ms. Basha received a number of anonymous intimidating phone calls. On 17 November 2009, the rear brakes of her car were allegedly tampered with. Furthermore, Ms. Basha was the subject of a simulated acid attack when she was leaving the Criminal Court where she had been observing the trial of a political activist. 50. The attacks and acts of intimidation may be the result of the intervention of Ms. Basha on 24 September 2009 at the Human Rights Council, during the adoption of the universal periodic review report on Yemen. The Sisters’ Arab Forum for Human Rights also presented a shadow report to the Committee against Torture at its forty-third session, held from 2 to 20 November 2009, which had been prepared in collaboration with 13 other Yemeni human rights organizations. 51. The Chair of the Committee against Torture, on behalf of the Committee, sent a letter to the Government of Yemen asking it to provide, as a matter of urgency, information on these allegations and on the measures taken to fulfil the implementation of the provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by the State party, especially to ensure that complainants and witnesses are protected against ill-treatment and intimidation as a consequence of a complaint or evidence given, as provided for in article 13 of the Convention. III. Conclusions 52. Cases of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate with the United Nations regrettably continue to be reported. Family members and others who have provided assistance to victims of this intimidation and reprisals, including lawyers and representatives, continue to be threatened, harassed, intimidated and even killed. 53. Reprisals against individuals who seek to cooperate with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights are not only a concern to the individuals directly affected, but also reflect a failure of States to allow free and open contacts with the United Nations human rights machinery. 54. Reprisals are intrinsically linked to intimidation. These disturbing phenomena are complementary in achieving the common aim of preventing individuals and groups of individuals from cooperating with the United Nations on human rights issues. While cases of intimidation take place in order to prevent the cooperation, cases of reprisals are reported after the cooperation has taken place. These acts have a very serious deterrent effect on people willing to cooperate with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. 55. States, in accordance with international human rights standards, should take measures to prevent intimidation and reprisals. This can be done, for example, by publicly supporting activities in defence of human rights and cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights and by taking measures to inform the population about the different ways and means available to cooperate with the United Nations. It also includes ensuring that those who order or undertake such acts of intimidation or reprisal are subject to prosecution. GE.10-13228 13