A/HRC/51/47 interpreted as triggering criminal liability for those who share human rights-related information with the United Nations. 120. While digital technologies have created opportunities, an increase in online interactions due to COVID-19-related restrictions has continued to raise important issues and concerns related to access, cybersecurity, privacy and confidentiality among victims, witnesses and civil society organizations that engage with the United Nations. United Nations actors have pointed to growing and concerning evidence of online surveillance, privacy intrusion and cyberattacks by State and non-State actors of victims and civil society communications and activities. Emerging risks include expanded digital surveillance, including the use of spyware and coordinated online attacks by State and non-State actors. As was the case in the previous reporting period, close to half of the incidents mentioned in the present report include allegations of monitoring and surveillance, both online and offline, of individuals and groups who cooperate or attempt to cooperate with the United Nations. 121. I am concerned that this seriously affects civil society actors’ cooperation with and submission of information to the United Nations, increasing their potential vulnerability to intimidation and reprisals. The lack of trust in the digital sphere among those sharing information and testimony with the United Nations on sensitive issues can discourage future cooperation. At the same time, I welcome the opportunities that digital technologies have presented for increased and diverse participation in United Nations forums and processes and encourage entities of the United Nations system to seize these opportunities by making sure that underrepresented populations and communities, in particular those affected by the digital divide and other barriers, are not excluded. 122. In a third of the States mentioned in the present report, individuals and groups have refrained from cooperating with the United Nations, withheld their identity or exercised self-censorship for fear of reprisals or other forms of harm. As in the past, during the reporting period some individuals and organizations have declined to communicate, meet with or submit information to the United Nations, or have otherwise self-censored themselves to prevent criminal prosecution. I am concerned that restrictive legislation and stigmatizing public discourse have had the effect of deterring victims and civil society from cooperating with the United Nations. I call on all States to support safe and unhindered access to and cooperation with the Organization, to prevent and address all incidents of intimidation and reprisal and to support and facilitate the engagement of individuals and groups in the work of the United Nations. 123. I remain concerned that the trend of publicly reported allegations of intimidation and reprisals against women victims and human rights defenders highlighted in my previous report persisted over the reporting period. Of the nearly 350 individual cases included in the present report, around 60 per cent concern women, and of those cases that were reported anonymously, a large number also concerned women. While more women are increasingly cooperating with the United Nations, including by using online opportunities, the risks of such interactions are far too high. 124. I am encouraged by the increased commitment shown by Member States of the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council to address intimidation and reprisals, particularly through efforts to protect the participation of women and targeted violence against them in peace and security processes. Women human rights defenders and peacebuilders, in particular, face daunting risks when they engage with the United Nations, in particular with the Security Council and with its peace operations. While their protection should be a concern to all of us, it should not be used as a pretext to exclude their voices. Their insight, expertise and perspectives are crucial to the work of the Security Council and to ensuring lasting peace and security globally. The international community needs to address the risks and ensure concerted action to protect, support, fund and ensure the meaningful participation of women human rights defenders and peacebuilders in all peace and security processes. 17