A/HRC/54/61 could be seen as a form of intimidation and restrict the right of participation of indigenous peoples.81 111. On 24 April 2023, a representative of the Government of Tanzania took the floor under agenda item 6, noting that “[w]e are compelled to make this clarification owing to the malicious and widespread allegations made against Tanzania by a few people and groups, who have decided to ignore the facts I have just alluded to you today. It is disheartening to my delegation to see this important forum being turned into a hall of accusations.” The representative concluded by inviting the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to conduct a visit in Tanzania “so he can witness the situation on the ground rather than relying on propaganda spread by NGOs.” 82 Members of the UNPFII discussed the incidents during the session with representatives of the State concerned. 24. Uzbekistan 112. In the context of the visit to Uzbekistan by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 13–15 March 2023, OHCHR documented at least 20 incidents of intimidation and reprisals by the police and other law enforcement bodies affecting six civil society activists (3 male/3 female) and 14 individuals (6 male/8 female) who engaged, or sought to engage with the United Nations to raise human rights concerns. Those concerned included individuals and activists denouncing arbitrary detention and torture, corruption, gender-based violence, right to fair trial, and forced evictions. The High Commissioner and his Office addressed the incidents with the authorities. OHCHR is monitoring the situation and is in close contact with relevant authorities. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals. 113. It was also reported that several individuals and activists who had planned to travel from different regions of Uzbekistan to Tashkent to deliver petitions to the High Commissioner were arrested for several days or called to police stations prior to their travel and interrogated about the purpose of their trip. Relatives of some of these individuals received threatening calls warning them against their plans to travel. It is reported that these movement restrictions prevented their travel and engagement with the High Commissioner. 114. It was also reported to OHCHR that Ms. Elena Urlaeva, a civil society activist who was invited to a meeting with the High Commissioner on 13 March 2023, faced obstacles in accessing the UN building prior to the meeting. Law enforcement agents in plain clothes reportedly turned away Ms. Urlaeva, intentionally delayed her at the entrance, and threatened her with detention. She was finally able to access the UN building, attend the meeting and participate in the discussion. The case of Ms. Urlaeva, of the Human Rights Defenders Alliance of Uzbekistan, was included in previous reports of the Secretary-General, concerning allegations of previous incidents of reprisals against her.83 25. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 115. United Nations actors addressed allegations of intimidation and reprisals as well as undue restrictions, including in draft legislation, as well as surveillance, stigmatisation and harassment of civil society actors further to, or inhibiting their cooperation with, the United Nations. 116. On 24 January 2023, a bill on the Control, Regularization, Performance and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organisations84 was tabled in the National Assembly and approved in a first reading. This new bill exacerbated previous concerns raised by several 81 82 83 84 GE.23-15378 https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zkybodp8. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1ycp8n54v. A/HRC/36/31, Annex I paras. 88–89; A/HRC/39/41, Annex II paras. 59–61;A/HRC/45/36, Annex II paras. 134–136. Ley de fiscalización, regularización, actuación y financiamiento de las organizaciones no gubernamentales y afines. 39