Africa: Report Warns of Reprisals Against Those Who Engage With the UN On Human Rights

What the report says

A new United Nations report says activists, lawyers, journalists, trade unionists and other civil society figures who work with the UN on human rights are still facing intimidation, retaliation and other forms of pressure. The report, issued Wednesday by the Secretary-General and carried by UN News through AllAfrica, says the problem affected people in 32 states during the period from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026.

According to the report, those targeted faced a range of abuses, including arbitrary detention, physical attacks, threats, online harassment, surveillance, movement restrictions and passport confiscation. It also says family members were sometimes intimidated, and that digital tools are increasingly being used to monitor and silence people seeking to engage with international human rights mechanisms. The report adds that many incidents likely go unreported because victims fear further harm.

UN human rights official Claudia Fuentes Julio said shrinking civic space and rising surveillance are creating a hostile environment for cooperation with the UN. The report also warns that more than half of the countries mentioned have used or changed laws that further restrict civil society activity, including in areas such as counter-terrorism, cybercrime and national security. It cites efforts already underway to improve protection and accountability, while urging states to safeguard those who engage with the UN.