A/HRC/14/19 II. Information received on cases of reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights A. Methodological framework 13. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 12/2, the present report contains information regarding acts of intimidation or reprisal against individuals or groups who: (a) 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; (b) 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 this purpose; (c) 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 this purpose; (d) Are relatives of victims of human rights violations or of those who have provided legal or other assistance to victims. 14. In cases in which the victims of reprisals, whether individuals or organizations, have been in contact with one of the bodies or mechanisms of the Council or treaty bodies, protective action was taken by the relevant mandate holders or bodies. Urgent appeals or allegation letters were in some cases addressed to the States concerned. Summaries of replies received from States have been included in the present report. 15. It should be noted that in some cases it has not been possible to record in the present report particular cases due to specific security concerns or because the individuals exposed to reprisals have explicitly requested that their cases are not raised publicly. It should also be noted that almost all the information contained in the report is also reflected in the reports of each specific mechanism presented to the General Assembly or the Human Rights Council. 16. The cases described in the present report do not represent the totality of acts of intimidation or reprisal against individuals or groups who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. Such acts may in many instances go unreported due to lack of knowledge about the possibility to report cases of reprisals, lack of access to appropriate means of communication or fear of further reprisals. 17. During the period under review, information was received about acts of intimidation or reprisal following cooperation with the Secretary-General, the Security Council, special procedures, treaty bodies and the universal periodic review mechanism. B. Summary of cases 18. The following paragraphs cover a variety of situations in which persons have been intimidated or suffered reprisals for having sought to cooperate or having cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, for 6 GE.10-13228