A/HRC/54/61 Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists since 8 March 2019. His last risk assessment was undertaken on 29 June 2023. 16. Myanmar 84. In a context of increased violence and a decimated civic space in the country, 64 multiple United Nations entities noted risks of reprisals against and barriers to those who engage with them, including increased surveillance on civil society organizations as well as Internet shutdowns.65 They urged that victims, witnesses and survivors who cooperate with the United Nations be able to do so without fear of retribution. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of reprisals. 85. In December 2022, the General Assembly adopted a resolution noting with grave concern the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access in all conflict areas across Myanmar and urged the granting of full, unrestricted and safe access to all humanitarian actors and all United Nations mandate holders and human rights mechanisms, and relevant United Nations agencies to independently monitor the situation, and to ensure that individuals can cooperate without hindrance with these mechanisms and without fear of reprisal, intimidation or attack (A/RES/77/227, OP10). 86. In its 2023 report to the Human Rights Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted limitations to its documentation work for a number of reasons, including military-imposed localized and long-term internet shutdowns and continuous risks of reprisals by military authorities. Documentation of crimes of sexual and gender-based violence is particularly challenging due to security and safety concerns of survivors and concrete risks of reprisal (A/HRC/52/21, AEV para. 35). 87. In March 2023, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for full, unrestricted and unmonitored access for all United Nations mandate holders and human rights mechanisms, including by ceasing Internet shutdowns and restrictions on information essential for accountability, and to ensure that civil society organizations, human rights defenders, lawyers, victims, survivors, witnesses and other individuals have unhindered access to and can communicate with the United Nations and other human rights entities without fear of reprisals, intimidation or attack (A/HRC/RES/52/31, OP26). 17. Nicaragua 88. In a context of an intensified crackdown on civil society actors and human rights defenders, during the reporting period multiple United Nations actors addressed intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, including the mass dissolution of hundreds of organizations through the arbitrary application of restrictive laws that negatively impacted on their ability to function and cooperate with the United Nations. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) received information about individuals choosing to share information or testimony with the United Nations only under conditions of anonymity due to fear of reprisals against them and their families. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of reprisals. 89. From May 2022 to April 2023, special procedures mandate holders, 66 the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,67 the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Human Rights Committee,68 and the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua69 noted with concern the entry into force on 6 May 2022 of the General Law for 64 65 66 67 68 69 34 See https://bangkok.ohchr.org/ngo-law-myanmar/. A/77/494, paras. 24 and 56–62. NIC 1/2022 and NIC 2/2022; https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/nicaragua-un-expertsdenounce-arbitrary-shutdown-civil-society-organisations; https://www.ohchr.org/en/pressreleases/2022/10/nicaragua-must-restore-full-enjoyment-civil-and-political-rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/06/oral-update-situation-human-rights-nicaragua. CERD/C/NIC/CO/15-21, paras. 6–7, and CCPR/C/NIC/CO/4, paras. 33–34. A/HRC/52/63, paras. 89–96. GE.23-15378

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