A/HRC/57/60 Annex I Comprehensive information on alleged cases of reprisals and intimidation for cooperation with the United Nations on human rights 1. Afghanistan 1. During the reporting period, UNAMA recorded several instances of reprisals against individuals, including women and media workers, for their cooperation with the United Nations. Some of these cases involved arbitrary detention by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities for a variety of reasons, including broadcasting messages by the United Nations, sharing information with, or having contact with the United Nations. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to risks of further reprisals. 2. A media worker who was detained during the reporting period was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment on a range of charges, including broadcasting messages by UNAMA and sharing information with the United Nations. The individual was released from prison after six months. 3. During the reporting period, a civil society activist disappeared. Later, the activist’s family was informed that the activist was detained by the de facto authorities. Charges against the individual reportedly included having contact with UNAMA. The activist was later released from prison. 4. Also, during the reporting period, UNAMA documented an incident in which a media worker who was arrested and detained by the de facto authorities was informed that one of the reasons for the arrest was broadcasting UNAMA’s public service announcements. The individual was released from detention the next day. 5. The climate of fear and intimidation created by the de facto authorities has also posed challenges for UNAMA’s engagement with civil society actors, witnesses, and victims of human rights abuses. Interlocutors regularly report fears for their safety if they discuss human rights issues with UNAMA and request confidentiality. 6. In addition to the threats faced by those engaging with the United Nations in-country, some Afghan women who spoke at United Nations fora and events outside of Afghanistan faced intimidation and reprisals, including threats and intimidation online (in media and via social media) or against their relatives for their engagement with the United Nations. An Afghan woman who travelled to Geneva from Afghanistan to participate in the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council became the target of intimidation and a smear campaign, amplified on social media, in connection to her statement at the Council. In another instance, the relatives (in country) of an Afghan woman (in exile) who spoke at the United Nations were visited by the de facto authorities and some had to relocate within the country or abroad due to fear for their safety. 7. The UN Security Council1, the High Commissioner for Human Rights,2 UNAMA3 and special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council 4 reported concerns 1 2 3 4 18 A/78/361-S/2023/678, paras. 16, 36; A/78/628-S/2023/941, para. 16, 34, 74; A/78/789-S/2024/196 para. 79. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/09/afghanistan-human-rights-state-collapsewarns-turk. https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/human_rights_situation_in_afghanistan_may__june_2023_0.pdf; https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/human_rights_situation_in_afghanistan_julsep_2023.pdf; https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/english_hr_update_22jan_2024.pdf. A/HRC/55/80 paras. 72–73, 75–76, A/78/338, paras. 5, 31, https://www.ohchr.org/en/pressreleases/2024/02/afghanistan-un-expert-calls-international-community-prioritise-human-rights, GE.24-14259