Government responded denying the allegations, including the alleged pattern of reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN. The Government asserted that allegations are taken by the UN as valid despite information put forward by the authorities that is not taken into account. In the view of the Government, this does not respect the principles of objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity and contributes to the politicization of the issue, in particular “the selective and arbitrary use of the mechanism against developing countries.” The Government stated that the defense of human rights is a noble cause that it has always supported and will continue to support, and it is not acceptable that it is manipulated as a pretext to violate the right of the peoples to self- determination.