A/HRC/42/30 repetitive questions by Committee Members”.35 As questions by one Committee member are raised on behalf of the entire Committee, these issues have been addressed by Member States in the consideration of its working methods (see E/2019/32 (Part I), paras. 38 and 40–43). The Chair of the Committee announced the establishment of an informal working group to consider ways to apply a sanctions list-related screening to NGOs seeking consultative status.36 31. In my previous report, I welcomed the positive efforts of the Committee to increase transparency, particularly the webcasting of its public deliberations. I note the invitation of the General Assembly to the Committee to examine how to “accommodate effectively the growing number of applications of non-governmental organizations”. 37 As highlighted previously, continual deferral of applications has in some cases amounted to de facto rejection and has seemed to target organizations working on human rights issues (see A/HRC/39/41, para. 23, and A/HRC/38/18, para. 20). I again call on the Committee to apply the criteria for assessing organizations in a fair and transparent manner. V. Information received on cases of intimidation and reprisal for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights A. General comment 32. The present report includes cases based on information gathered from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2019 and, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolutions 12/2 and 24/24, contains information on acts of intimidation or reprisal against those 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 that purpose; (c) Submit or have submitted communications under procedures established by United Nations human rights instruments and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them for that purpose; (d) Are relatives of victims of human rights violations or of those who have provided legal or other assistance to victims. 33. The information received has been verified and corroborated by primary and other sources to the extent possible. Reference is made to United Nations publications if the cases are public. Responses provided by Governments are also included, as are positive examples of State action. 34. The present report and annexes do not attempt to provide an exhaustive list of cases. In preparing it, the principle of “do no harm” and the consent of the alleged victims to be named were strictly adhered to, and a risk assessment was made for each case received and deemed credible. As a result, it was decided not to include cases in which the risk to the security and well-being of the individuals concerned, or their family members, was deemed too high. Furthermore, a number of cases brought to my attention were addressed confidentially and may not appear in the report. 35 36 37 https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/SP/CC_Chair_letter_to_NGO_Committee_ 20062019.pdf. https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ecosoc6982.doc.htm. General Assembly resolution 72/305, para. 22. 7