A/HRC/57/60
Russian nationals who participate in HRHF activities or that receive funding from HRHF
may face criminal liability under the applicable law.
99.
During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in
the Russian Federation reported on the designation of HRHF as an “undesirable organization”
along with several other international non-governmental organizations. An organization
declared “undesirable” faces severe consequences, including a complete ban on operations
in the Russian Federation. Russian citizens are prohibited from receiving funding from an
“undesirable organization”. (A/HRC/54/54, paras. 27, 29–30). The Special Rapporteur also
addressed Federal Law No. 129-FZ (2015) on undesirable activities of foreign and
international non-governmental organizations (See Annex II) noting that it makes it a crime
“to participate” in any activity of an “undesirable” organization, whether the organization is
located in the Russian Federation or overseas. She stated that the law prohibits Russian
nationals from receiving funding from or disseminating information of an “undesirable”
organization and that as at 31 July 2023, there were at least 103 organizations declared as
“undesirable”. The law does not specify what constitutes “participation”.
100. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation also
expressed her appreciation to those who had provided information for the report, often in the
face of heightened risk of intimidation and reprisals. The Special Rapporteur recommended
that the Russian authorities cooperate fully with the Office of the Secretary-General and
OHCHR to ensure that all forms of intimidation and reprisals are ended against those who
seek to cooperate with the United Nations, including its human rights bodies and
mechanisms, and put safeguards in place to prevent future reprisals (A/HRC/54/54,
paras.111–112).
101. In October 2023, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 54/23 on the situation
of human rights in the Russian Federation, which expresses concern that legislative measures
are being used by the authorities against Russian civil society to penalize and criminalize
cooperation with international organizations, including as reprisals for cooperation with
United Nations human rights mechanisms, and that the enforcement of such legislation is
reportedly leading to self-censorship and dissuading civil society actors from publicly
engaging with the United Nations and other organizations (A/HRC/RES/54/23). The
resolution also calls upon the Russian authorities to refrain from all forms of intimidation and
reprisals against persons and associations for their cooperation with the Special Rapporteur
on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, other special procedures, the treaty
bodies, OHCHR, as well as all stakeholders in the context of the universal periodic review.
(A/HRC/RES/54/23)
16.
Sri Lanka
102. During the reporting period, OHCHR documented harassment and intimidation by
state security officials or persons assumed to be affiliated with security officials against five
individuals (male and female) due to their engagement with United Nations human rights
bodies and mechanisms. Names and details of those concerned have been withheld due to
fear of further reprisals. OHCHR is following this situation.
103. The concerned individuals, some of whom had been allegedly harassed by state
security officials in the past, are all from the North and East regions of the country and work
on post-conflict-related issues such as enforced disappearances, land-related conflicts, etc.
All of them, except one, had travelled to Geneva and engaged with a range of United Nations
human rights bodies and mechanisms, including treaty bodies, special procedures mandate
holders, and OHCHR staff.
104. The nature of the harassment and intimidation included visits to individuals’ private
homes, phone calls and summons by State security officials to question them about their
advocacy trips to Geneva, including who had paid for those trips and what the purpose was
of their travel. Some of the individuals were subjected to public vilification campaigns in
relation to their engagement with international actors, including the United Nations.
32
GE.24-14259