The Commission on Human Rights,

Reiterating its concern at the continued reports of intimidation and reprisals against private individuals and groups who seek to cooperate with the United Nations and representatives of its human rights bodies,

Also concerned at reports about incidents where private individuals have been hampered in their efforts to avail themselves of procedures established under United Nations auspices for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Recalling in resolutions 1990/76 of 7 March 1990, 1991/70 of 6 March 1991, 1992/59 of 3 March 1992, 1993/64 of 10 March 1993, 1994/70 of 9 March 1994, 1995/75 of 8 March 1995, 1996/70 of 23 April 1996 and 1997/56 of 15 April 1997, and taking note of the report of the Secretary­General on the question (E/CN.4/1998/57),

1. Urges Governments to refrain from all acts of intimidation or reprisal against:

(a) Those who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies, or who have provided testimony or information to them;

(b) Those who avail or have availed themselves of procedures established under United Nations auspices for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and all those who have provided legal assistance to them for this purpose;

(c) Those who submit or have submitted communications under procedures established by human rights instruments;

(d) Those who are relatives of victims of human rights violations;

2. Requests all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies, as well as treaty bodies monitoring the observance of human rights, to continue to take urgent steps, in conformity with their mandates, to help prevent the hampering of access to United Nations human rights procedures in any way;

3. Also requests all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies, as well as treaty bodies monitoring the observance of human rights, to continue to take urgent steps, in conformity with their mandates, to help prevent the occurrence of such intimidation and reprisals;

4. Further requests such representatives and treaty bodies to continue to include in their respective reports to the Commission on Human Rights, the Sub­Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities or the General Assembly a reference to allegations of intimidation or reprisal and of hampering of access to United Nations human rights procedures, as well as an account of action taken by them in this regard;

5. Requests the Secretary­General to draw the attention of such representatives and treaty bodies to the present resolution;

6. Invites the Secretary­General to submit to the Commission at its fifty­fifth session a report containing a compilation and analysis of any available information, from all appropriate sources, on alleged reprisals against the persons referred to in paragraph 1 above;

7. Decides to consider the question again at its fifty­fifth session.

56th meeting
21 April 1998

[Adopted without a vote. See chap. X.]