United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres drew attention to threats and reprisals targeting individuals and organizations cooperating with the UN on human rights. Guterres said people in different parts of the world continue to pay a heavy price for engaging with the United Nations.
“This is unacceptable.”
In a statement posted on his social media account, Guterres said that people working with the UN on human rights are constantly facing intimidation and reprisals.
The UN secretary-general stressed that human rights defenders must be kept safe as he delivered the message, “This is unacceptable.”
Call for the protection of human rights defenders
Guterres called for human rights defenders working with United Nations mechanisms to be protected and for those responsible for violations and mistreatment to be held accountable.
The UN notes that pressure on people cooperating with human rights mechanisms is not limited to direct threats. Surveillance, harassment, legal proceedings, measures targeting passports and assets, and, in some cases, cross-border pressure are among the practices reported.
Attention drawn to cross-border pressure
The UN Human Rights Office says that cross-border pressure has expanded in recent years in terms of its scope, geographic reach and methods used. Digital surveillance and pressure attempts carried out in different countries are also among the prominent aspects of this trend.
In cases addressed by the UN, human rights defenders as well as their family members, colleagues and other people who share information with UN mechanisms can also become targets of pressure.
Guterres: Accountability must be ensured
Guterres emphasized that people working with the UN must be able to participate in human rights mechanisms without fear.
The UN secretary-general stressed that, in addition to protecting human rights defenders, those responsible for threats, intimidation, reprisals and other violations must be held accountable.
