A/HRC/51/47 56. In the presentation 44 of her March 2022 report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/49/23, paras. 45–52), the High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the repeal of the legislation unduly restricting the civic and democratic space. In her reply during the dialogue, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights 45 noted that OHCHR had received reports about Nicaraguans choosing not to communicate with the United Nations due to fear of reprisals against them and their families. She called on authorities to cease, publicly condemn, and sanction any attack or harassment against political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, including those who cooperate with the United Nations, and their families. 57. In March 2022, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 49/3 on the promotion and protection of human rights in Nicaragua condemning all acts of intimidation and reprisal, both online and offline, by State and non-State actors against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations. The Council called upon the “Government to prevent, refrain from and publicly condemn, investigate and punish any acts of intimidation or reprisal for cooperation with the United Nations” (A/HRC/RES/49/3). 58. According to information received by OHCHR, Ms. Christy Melissa Martínez, a young student leader and women human rights defender, was subject to intimidation and surveillance following her engagement with UN human rights mechanisms on the arbitrary detention of Mr. John Christopher Cerna Zuñiga, also a student leader and a human rights defender. Between April and October 2021, Ms. Martínez shared information with mandate holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the detention, sentencing, and ill-treatment of Mr. Cerna Zuñiga. In May and June 2021, mandate holders addressed allegations about Mr. Cerna Zuñiga’s situation (NIC 3/2021).46 Following her interactions with the UN, Ms. Martinez’s reportedly experienced restrictions to visit Mr. Cerna Zuñiga, including a request by prison staff to sign documents committing not to share with international organizations the information she obtained during the visits. Her apartment was searched, and she was followed and intimidated by police officers. Ms. Martinez relocated within the country for a few months and, in October 2021, left Nicaragua fearing for her safety. 16. Rwanda 59. On 5 November 2021, mandate holders addressed allegations of intimidation and harassment by government officials against Mr. Noël Zihabamwe and individuals associated with him following his engagement with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances to establish the fate and whereabouts of his brothers, Mr. Antoine Zihabamwe and Mr. Jean Nsengimana (RWA 2/2021). Mr. Zihabamwe is a Rwandan human rights defender based in Australia and founder of the African Australian Advocacy Centre. 60. While Mr. Zihabamwe has allegedly faced numerous threats and intimidation from Rwandan government officials in the past, mandate holders expressed concern that the latest acts of intimidation appear to be related to the filing, on 4 June 2021, of complaints of enforced disappearance with the UN Working Group about his two brothers. The filing of the complaints was reported by Australia media and echoed by a Rwandan newspaper that allegedly portrayed Mr. Zihabamwe as being involved with Rwandan Alliance for National Pact (RANP), which the Government has labelled as a terrorist organisation. Furthermore, between 18 and 21 June 2021, several individuals associated with Mr. Zihabamwe were interrogated by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, were refused medical treatment, and threatened and evicted from their homes. The Working Group transmitted the two cases to the Government of Rwanda on 15 October 2021 (RWA 2/2021). 44 45 46 28 https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/annual-report-united-nations-high-commissionerhuman-rights-situation-human. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1s/k1sk8m7sc5. https://www.ohchr.org/es/2021/06/nicaragua-un-expert-deplores-spate-attacks-and-arrests-humanrights-defenders.