A/HRC/33/19 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 12/2, the Human Rights Council expressed its concern at the continued reports of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights and its deep concern at the seriousness of reported reprisals. The Council condemned all acts of intimidation or reprisal by Governments and non-State actors and invited me to submit a report to the Council at its fourteenth session and annually thereafter, containing a compilation and analysis of any available information, from all appropriate sources, on alleged reprisals as well as recommendations on how to address the issue. The present report is my seventh based on that resolution. 2. In my previous reports, I have stressed the absolute unacceptability of any act of intimidation or reprisal, no matter how seemingly subtle or explicit, against individuals or groups, their family members, legal representation or anyone else with professional or personal ties to them, for seeking to cooperate, cooperating or having cooperated with the United Nations in the field of human rights. I reiterate once again that all such acts, which run contrary to the principle of human dignity and violate numerous human rights, show complete contempt and disregard for the United Nations system as a whole. Without exception, all acts of intimidation and reprisal must be halted immediately and unconditionally, effective remedies provided and preventive measures adopted and implemented to prevent reoccurrence. I call in particular on States to take immediate action. II. Developments in response to acts of intimidation and reprisal 3. During the reporting period, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights addressed the issue of reprisals on several occasions. On 14 September 2015, in his opening statement to the Human Rights Council at its thirtieth session, he mentioned that some Member States had sought to prevent civil society actors from working with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Council: “Session after session, they attempt to bar from accreditation — based on spurious allegations of terrorist or criminal activity — groups that strive to expose problems and propose remedies”. On 3 May 2016, speaking at an informal gathering on the 2021 implementation agenda for the Council, the High Commissioner recalled that “it is absolutely essential that victims, defenders, activists and other civil society groups be empowered to cooperate with and contribute to the Council’s work without obstruction and fear of reprisals”. He indicated that the Council’s responses to all such allegations should be strengthened so as to ensure that they were effectively pursued and addressed.1 4. Over the past year, the President of the Human Rights Council has continued to draw attention to the issue of reprisals and reiterated the need to ensure safe participation and involvement of all stakeholders in the work of the Council. The President has consistently raised cases during Bureau meetings and contacted Member States concerned. On 16 November 2015, in his statements to the General Assembly and its Third Committee, the President mentioned that over the course of the year he had been seized of alleged and verified cases of intimidation and reprisals, and had followed up with concerned States when required. He stressed the need to implement resolution 24/24, in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to designate a senior focal point to promote the prevention 1 OHCHR, “Turning international norms into local reality: the 2021 implementation agenda for the Human Rights Council”, 3 May 2016. 3