A/HRC/51/47
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, the UN Security Council, 1 OHCHR, 2 and special
procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council 3 have addressed the increasing
erosion of civic space in Afghanistan, including the violence and daunting challenges faced
by women and girls, as well as former public officials, victims of human rights violations,
journalists, and civil society actors.
2.
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, several UN actors, including the United
Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and OHCHR, have reported
numerous incidents and restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities, 4 that have
contributed to an environment where individuals and groups refrain from voicing dissent and
engage in self-censorship for fear of repercussions, including for engagement and
cooperation with the UN. Names and details of individuals concerned are withheld for fear
of further reprisals.
3.
In her March 2022 report to the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner noted
that human rights NGOs have become largely non-operational, due to restrictions imposed
by de facto authorities and being fearful of repercussions. Lack of access to funding is another
challenge that prevents civil society organisations from continuing their operations
(A/HRC/49/24, AUV, para. 54). The de facto authorities have introduced a series of Orders
and Instructions that as a result limit women’s freedom of movement (ibid., paras. 36–37).
2.
Bangladesh
4.
On 21 February 2022, special procedures mandate holders addressed allegations of
intimidation and harassment of relatives of disappeared persons, human rights defenders
and civil society organizations related to their work and co-operation with international
bodies and United Nations mechanisms (BGD 2/2022). They drew the Government’s
attention to the fact that their communication did not contain personal details of several
alleged victims for fear of further reprisals. On 30 December 2021, the Government
announced that it was investigating 76 pending cases with the United Nations Working Group
on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID). However, between December 2021
and February 2022, authorities reportedly raided the homes of some victims’ relatives and
intimidated them. Representatives of some NGOs working in the search of victims and of
enforced disappearances and advocating for accountability were also allegedly affected,
Odhikar was one of them (see Annex II). Mandate holders expressed concern that the
1
2
3
4
18
S/2022/64; S/2021/759.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2022/02/press-briefing-notes-afghanistan;
https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/09/press-briefing-notes-afghanistan.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/09/afghanistan-journalists-risk-persecution-needurgent-protection-un-experts.
A/76/667-S/2022/64, paras. 33, 38, 40, and 63. See also
https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/2_march_2022_srsg_briefing_security_council_englis
h.pdf;
https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/26_january_2022_srsg_briefing_security_council_en
glish.pdf; and https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/interactive-dialogue-highcommissioners-report-afghanistan.