A/HRC/48/28 free movement for peace operations and associated personnel, and for expert mechanisms, to be able to carry out their mandates.43 30. It was reported to OHCHR that, before and during the high-level political forum on sustainable development held virtually in 2020, civil society representatives with the right to make interventions 44 reported cases of intimidation and declined to engage in national dialogues or make statements during voluntary national reviews. 45 Names and additional details are withheld for fear of further reprisals. 31. The workload and working methods of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, the body mandated to consider applications for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, has been noted in successive reports. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported receiving a record number of 883 new applications for the 2021 cycle, representing a fourfold increase over 10 years and the highest number of applications in the Committee’s history.46 32. The 2020 resumed session of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations was postponed until May 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.47 At its 2021 session, the Committee considered 855 applications, including 516 new applications for status and 339 applications deferred from earlier sessions. The Committee recommended 432 applications for consultative status and deferred 386 for further consideration at its resumed session, a deferral rate comparable to previous years.48 33. At the 2021 regular session, Member States urged the Committee on NonGovernmental Organizations to explore options for creating an open and inclusive space for interaction with non-governmental organizations using digital tools and technologies. They expressed concern that the Committee’s accreditation process lacked transparency, objectivity and efficiency. Highlighting an increase in reprisals against civil society actors, States asserted that it was time for the United Nations to systematically address threats and reprisals against human rights defenders and victims of human rights violations who engage with the system, including consultations with non-governmental organizations following those that took place in 2018.49 34. In addition to ongoing dialogue on improving working methods and countering reprisals, conducted by the Chair of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, in line with the recommendations of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures, 50 the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights discussed continued concerns and good practices with the Chair, in May 2021. 35. As previously highlighted, continued deferral of applications of non-governmental organizations for consultative status has, in some cases, amounted to de facto rejection, especially in cases related to organizations working on human rights issues. 51 The SecretaryGeneral reiterates the call upon the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations to apply the criteria for assessing organizations in a fair and transparent manner and welcomes greater participation of civil society organizations in the Committee’s work and the consideration of remote engagement where possible. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Security Council resolutions 2543 (2020) (Afghanistan); 2536 (2020), 2552 (2020) and 2566 (2021) (Central African Republic); 2556 (2020) (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 2542 (2020) and 2571 (2021) (Libya); 2531 (2020) (Mali); and 2521 (2020) and 2567 (2021) (South Sudan). General Assembly resolutions 67/290, para. 15; and 70/1, para. 84. See https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/22610Process_for_MGoS_ engagement_in_the_VNR_Sessions_FINAL2.05.2019.pdf. Consistent with 860 applications in 2020, compared with 204 in 2010. See E/2020/32 (Part I), para. 25; see also E/2021/32 (Part I). See http://csonet.org/content/documents/Information%20Note%202021%20Regular%20Session %20of%20the%20Committee%20on%20NGOs%20_14.05.21.pdf. A/HRC/39/41, para. 22; A/HRC/42/30, para. 29; and A/HRC/45/36, para. 32. E/2021/32 (Part I), paras. 65–66, 69 and 71–73. See https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/SP/CC_Chair_letter_to_NGO_Committee_ 20062019.pdf; and E/2020/32 (Part I). A/HRC/38/18, para. 20; A/HRC/39/41, para. 23; A/HRC/42/30, para. 31; and A/HRC/45/36, para. 37. 7