UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the threats, intimidation and reprisals faced by individuals and organizations because of their cooperation with the United Nations on human rights.
Guterres said that people around the world continue to pay a “heavy price” for cooperating with the United Nations on human rights issues, stressing that the continuation of these practices is unacceptable.
“This is unacceptable.”
In a post on his social media account, Guterres said that people who cooperate with the United Nations on human rights continue to face intimidation and reprisals.
The UN secretary-general stressed the need to protect human rights defenders and ensure that they can engage with UN mechanisms without facing threats or punishment.
Call to protect human rights defenders
Guterres called for the protection of human rights defenders who cooperate with the United Nations, stressing the need to ensure accountability for violations and abuses.
The United Nations says that pressure on those cooperating with its human rights mechanisms can take different forms, including threats, surveillance, harassment, legal proceedings and other restrictions targeting individuals and organizations.
Warnings about transnational repression
The issue also extends beyond national borders, as UN human rights bodies have warned of transnational repression targeting people who live or work outside their countries.
These practices can include digital surveillance, online harassment, threats and other forms of pressure against activists, human rights defenders and people who provide information to international organizations.
Intimidation and reprisals can also affect the family members and colleagues of people cooperating with UN mechanisms, as well as others connected to them.
Guterres calls for accountability
Guterres stressed the need to enable people to cooperate with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms without fear of punishment or reprisals.
The UN secretary-general called for protection for human rights defenders and accountability for those responsible for intimidation, reprisals, violations and abuses.
