DEC/18/118 Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

GE.11-16939

Human Rights Council Eighteenth session

Agenda item 5 Human rights bodies and mechanisms

Decision adopted by the Human Rights Council*

18/118 Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

At its 35th meeting, on 29 September 2011, the Human Rights Council decided to adopt the following text:

“The Human Rights Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, and Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007, and 16/21 of 25 March 2011,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 65/281 of 17 June 2011, in which the Assembly adopted the text entitled “Outcome of the review of the work and functioning of the Human Rights Council”,

Recalling further that, in paragraph 30 of the above-mentioned outcome document, the Human Rights Council strongly rejects any act of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and urges States to prevent and ensure adequate protection against such acts,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 12/2 of 1 October 2009 and all relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights, the last being resolution 2005/9 of 14 April 2005,

Taking note of the latest reports of the Secretary-General on this question,1

1. Urges States to take all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of reprisals and intimidation, bearing in mind that free and unhindered contact and

* The resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council will be contained in the report of

the Council on its eighteenth session (A/HRC/18/2), chap. I. 1 A/HRC/14/19 and A/HRC/18/19.

cooperation with individuals and civil society are indeed indispensable to enable the United Nations and its mechanisms to fulfil their mandates;

2. Also urges States to investigate any alleged acts of intimidation or reprisal, and encourages them to inform the Human Rights Council, on a voluntary basis, of all measures taken to address acts of intimidation or reprisal, including preventive actions and investigative efforts, as well as, where confirmed, on remedies provided, including prosecution, and to share best practices in this regard;

3. Decides to convene, within existing resources, at its twenty-first session, a panel discussion under agenda item 5 on the issue of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights;

4. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the outcome of the panel discussion in the form of a summary;

5. Encourages Members and observers of the Human Rights Council to address the issue of cooperation of individuals and groups with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights in the general debate under agenda item 5.”

[Adopted without a vote.]