NGOs and human rights defenders have until the end of May to submit cases of reprisals to the UN Secretary-General's report, covering the period June 2016 to May 2017.

The Call for submissions to the Secretary General's annual report on cooperation with the United Nations, its mechanisms and representatives in the field of human rights - more frequently referred to as the 'reprisals report' – will be made public soon. 

The report is expected to cover the period from 1 June 2016 onwards. Please send your submission to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions, expected to be at the end of May, will be announced shortly.

The report consists of a compilation of cases of intimidation and reprisals due to cooperation with the United Nations organisations and its specialised agencies in the field of human rights, including cases in relation to the Human Rights Council, its Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures; Human Rights Treaty Bodies; the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, its field presences and Human Rights Advisers; United Nations Country Teams; human rights components of peacekeeping missions and other parts of the Secretariat or specialized agencies working in the field of human rights. The call is therefore for information regarding cases of reprisals falling within the scope described above.

Before sending in your information, please ensure that: 

1. The case falls within the scope of Human Rights Council resolution 12/2;
    
2. Consent has been obtained from the alleged victim or his/her family and this is clearly indicated in your email; meaning 1) the victim or his/her family has been informed and has understood the possible security risks, and 2) the victim or his/her family has agreed to have his/her case included in the reprisals report;
    
3. Mention is made of whether or not the alleged act of reprisal has been referred to in any official UN publication (UN report, press release, public statement, video of UN conference etc.) and, if so, the reference to this publication, including document symbol number where relevant, is provided. 

The report also contains a section on follow-up. Hence information in follow-up to cases included in the 2014 (A/HRC/27/38), 2015 (A/HRC/30/29) and 2016 (A/HRC/33/19) reports is also welcome. This information could for instance concern continued acts of reprisal or indicate measures that have been taken by the relevant State to investigate or prevent future reprisals from occurring. Please note that also for follow-up information the three requirements mentioned above must be adhered to. 

Contact: Tess McEvoy, Programme Coordinator and Legal Counsel, [email protected].