A/HRC/21/18 representatives in the field of human rights continue to be reported. Such acts continue to be carried out in various forms: threats and harassment by Government officials, including through public statements of high-level officials, media smear campaigns, physical attacks, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment and travel bans. The present report contains information on reported cases of reprisals for cooperating with OHCHR, the Human Rights Council and its special procedures and universal periodic review mechanism, treaty bodies and United Nations peace missions. 71. As I noted in the high-level panel discussion on reprisals in 2011, the United Nations could not do its invaluable work for human rights without those who cooperate with us. When they are intimidated and targeted for reprisals, they are victims, but we are all less secure. When their cooperation is stifled, our work in the field of human rights is compromised. 72. The State has the primary responsibility of ensuring that persons who cooperate with the United Nations and its mechanisms in the field of human rights are protected. I deeply regret the lack of accountability in relation to the majority of reported cases of reprisals. States need to ensure that all alleged acts of reprisals and intimidation are promptly and impartially investigated, perpetrators brought to justice and victims provided with appropriate remedies. Strengthened judicial efforts need to be combined with concrete and immediate measures for victims. In particular, public officials who make public statements which place human rights defenders at risk should be held accountable. I encourage the establishment of national witness programmes to provide effective protection measures for victims who have reported incidents of reprisals. In this regard, I encourage States to request technical advice from OHCHR regarding witness protection programmes. 73. The Human Rights Council should devote sufficient time and attention to the present report. It should underscore the obligation of States concerned to investigate any alleged acts of intimidation and reprisal and ensure that they report back to the Human Rights Council on their action in this context. I support the stance taken by the President of the Human Rights Council in condemning acts of intimidation and harassment and urge the Bureau and members of the Council to continue to address allegations of reprisals in a robust and consistent manner. The universal periodic review mechanism can provide a useful avenue in this regard. 74. It is the responsibility of States to protect civil society. Where the State is not able to perform this role, it is essential that the international community devises strong protection measures and supports them. There should be organizational coherence and a systematic approach by the United Nations to protect civil society actors and organizations better. In the framework of ensuring mainstreaming of human rights protection across the United Nations system, I encourage all United Nations entities to undertake a review of the existence of initiatives, practices and institutional policies to protect civil society space for action and mechanisms for interinstitutional cooperation to address reprisals. 75. The present report indicates that several United Nations human rights mechanisms have developed tailored responses to reprisals, including public statements. These could be further developed in order to create a coherent and unified response to combat reprisals. 76. Civil society plays a crucial role in advancing human rights. I urge civil society organizations to continue to raise awareness of reprisals issues and monitor the measures taken by States to ensure accountability for such action. I encourage the continued submission of information on cases, including follow-up to previous cases so 17