A/HRC/24/29 increased scrutiny, sometimes amounting to harassment, by State authorities. In some cases, the fact that civil society organizations cannot receive funds from abroad effectively prevents them from participating in sessions of treaty bodies or of the universal periodic review. 13. In the above connection, Human Rights Council resolution 22/6 on the protection of human rights defenders, co-sponsored by more than 70 States, must be highlighted. In that resolution, the Council unequivocally reaffirmed the right of everyone, individual or in association with others, to unhindered access to, and communication with, international bodies, in particular the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. In resolution 22/6, the Council called upon States to refrain from any act of intimidation or reprisal against those who cooperate or seek to cooperate with international institutions, including the United Nations, in the field of human rights. 14. The United Nations has also received a number of allegations of acts of intimidation and reprisal as a result of cooperation with regional organizations. While Human Rights Council resolution 12/2 does not explicitly cover cooperation with regional organizations, this is of deep concern. I call upon relevant actors to ensure a consistent approach by all regional and international human rights mechanisms vis-à-vis these grave violations of international human rights norms. II. Information received on cases of reprisal for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights A. Methodological framework 15. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 12/2, the present report contains information regarding acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who: • 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 • 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 this purpose • Submit or have submitted communications under procedures established by human rights instruments, and all those who have provided legal or other assistance to them for this purpose • Are relatives of victims of human rights violations or of those who have provided legal or other assistance to victims 16. The present report covers the period from 16 June 2012 to 15 June 2013. The information received was cross-checked, whenever possible, with primary sources; otherwise, allegations were assessed for reliability and consistency and corroborated through multiple sources. In cases where victims of reprisals or their representatives have been in contact with the United Nations, including its mechanisms, in the field of human rights, reference is made to relevant follow-up action, including relevant correspondence. 17. It was not possible to include certain cases in the present report, particularly when the risk that public reporting would have entailed for the concerned victims of reprisal was assessed as being too high; the acts of intimidation or reprisal against individuals or groups 6