A new report by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) released today aims to set out the cases of human rights defenders in the Gulf region and neighbouring countries who have been subjected to reprisals as a result of their co-operation and engagement with international human rights systems, including United Nations bodies. In this report, entitled “Liberty at Risk: Reprisals Against Human Rights Defenders in the Gulf Region and Neighbouring Countries”, acts of reprisals are documented against human rights defenders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

“These acts are increasing in incidence in the Gulf region and it is paramount to the integrity of the international human rights mechanisms that the issue of reprisals is tackled as a matter of urgency,” says the GCHR report.

“Engagement with such mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Council and Special Procedures, is essential for attention to be brought to human rights situations and individual cases and to enable appropriate measures to be taken. The very existence of these mechanisms depends on the ability of individuals and organisations to engage with them freely and without fear of reprisals or intimidation,” says GCHR.

International Conventions, including UN treaty body conventions, afford protection against reprisals, however, “all too often, human rights defenders are met with unjust targeting by authorities in an attempt to punish and hinder their activities. Many others are unable to engage with human rights mechanisms for fear of such targeting.”

The report concludes with several recommendations urging UN human rights bodies, including the HRC and UN member states to take immediate action to combat reprisals by state authorities; to develop and endorse a set of key protection and prevention guidelines, to enhance the protection of the at-risk human rights defenders; carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into acts of reprisals; and consider the establishment of a UN unit or Special Rapporteur dedicated to the issue of reprisals.

GCHR urges state authorities in the Gulf region and neighbouring countries to ensure that all human rights defenders, and all citizens, are free to avail of and engage with UN human rights mechanisms and the international human rights community; carry out their human rights work without fear of reprisals; and ensure there is a national system in place for investigating acts of reprisals, among other recommendations.

Click HERE to download the full report in English. Arabic is also available on the GCHR website.