Guide for women defenders facing reprisals for attempting to engage or cooperating with a United Nations agency

This step-by-step guide provides women defenders with support and resources to protect and empower them in reprisal situations.

Who are Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD)?

WHRD are “all women and girls working on any human rights issue, and people of all genders who work to promote women’s rights related to gender equality (…)”.

“Intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations in the field of human rights” is a specific United Nations (UN) mandate that aims at reporting and addressing reprisals that civil society sectors may face when engaging or attempting to engage with the UN.

 

HOW TO REPORT INSTANCES OF INTIMIDATION OR REPRISAL AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND THEIR WORK STEP-BY-STEP:

STEP 1

Detecting and understanding reprisals

Who and why perpetrates reprisals?

State or non-State entities commit acts of reprisal to discourage any future involvement with the United Nations.

Who can be affected?

Reprisals can directly impact the “women defenders” themselves and their families, lawyers, or loved ones.

When can reprisals occur?

They can occur at any moment when UN personnel interact with victims or advocates for Human Rights, including online.

What kinds of reprisal might a WHRD encounter?

A WHRD could experience various reprisals, including travel restrictions, being denied access to funding or UN facilities, online harassment and defamation, judicial harassment, espionage threats, arbitrary detention, torture, and more.

Why is it essential to address reprisals?

Addressing reprisals is crucial because they aim to suppress or hinder progress in a specific human right, directly or indirectly impacting other internationally recognised human rights.

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STEP 2

Addressing security concerns

Consider a risk analysis before:
  • engaging with a UN agency
  • deciding to report any incidents of reprisals.
Evaluate potential repercussions of reporting security-related concerns to the agency

Facing security concerns, evaluate if communicating or denouncing the situation to the agency would provide protection or increase the risk of harm for the women defender.

Analyse these elements:
  • who will attend the event
  • political context of the region
  • potential opponents or allies of the right supported
  • existing similar reprisals to the same group, etc.
Mitigate the risks of cooperation

For example, by avoiding disclosing personal information that could potentially put the safety of the “women defender” at risk.

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STEP 3

Reporting a situation of reprisal

Notify the concerned agency by email
Notify the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights

Notify at email reprisals@ohchr.org

  • Provide details on how the reported situation is connected to the UN agency’s cooperation activities, including information on what, when, how, who, as well as other relevant information.
  • Specify if any details regarding the victim should be kept confidential.

See more info on “how to submit information”.

 

Decide whether to denounce reprisals situation to Human Rights mechanisms

Treaty Bodies – Complaints Procedure

Special Procedures

Additional resources for women facing reprisals 

Organisations / NGOs addressing reprisals:

NGOs addressing security concerns / digital kits:

Other support for women defenders facing reprisals:

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

Cooperating with the UN has advantages, such as visibility, initial attention, accountability, networking, and protection.

When dealing with potential reprisal, conduct a thorough risk analysis and seek guidance from reliable sources, such as lawyers or security personnel.