United Nations Radio: Reprisals against human rights defenders go unpunished
Scores of human rights defenders in at least 12 countries worldwide have faced serious reprisals and intimidation over the past one year, according to a report by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
The report says the human rights defenders were tortured, detained without trial, beaten, banned from travelling, labeled traitors and subjected to various forms on inhuman treatment mostly in the hands of state security agents.
The Secretary General said it was disheartening that governments concerned were unwilling to fully investigate the cases and bring to justice those behind the reprisals.
In a statement to the UN Human Rights Council Panel on Reprisals, Mr Ban appealed to governments to do more to protect those who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
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Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 