People and organisations working with the United Nations on human rights are facing growing intimidation, surveillance and reprisals, with some targeted even after crossing international borders, a new report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned.
The report documents cases recorded between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026 involving human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, trade unionists and victims of human rights violations and abuses.
It covers 32 states and records at least 43 individuals and four organisations affected by transnational repression, where people or groups are targeted outside the borders of their own countries.
Those affected faced a range of actions, including arbitrary detention, physical attacks, surveillance, threats, online harassment, restrictions on movement, confiscation of passports and intimidation of family members.
In an update issued by the UN Secretary-General on Friday, the organisation said the cases documented in the report represent only part of the wider problem because the assessment was not intended to be exhaustive.
The UN said many victims do not report violations because they fear further retaliation. Others chose not to have their cases included in the report, while some agreed to have their identities withheld because of serious concerns about their safety.
“People around the world continue to pay a steep price for cooperating with the UN on human rights, facing persistent intimidation and reprisals. This is unacceptable. We must protect brave human rights defenders who engage with the UN and ensure accountability for violations and abuses,” Guterres said.
The report points to the growing use of digital technology to monitor, threaten and silence people who seek to work with international human rights mechanisms.
The UN said the issue is becoming more concerning as civil society groups and activists increasingly use digital platforms, where surveillance and online harassment can allow threats to continue across national borders.
According to the report, the documented cases point to a growing pattern of transnational repression, with individuals and organisations facing action beyond their countries of origin.
The measures recorded range from detention and physical attacks to digital monitoring and threats directed at relatives.
Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Claudia Fuentes Julio said the shrinking space available to civil society, combined with increased surveillance, was making it harder for people to safely engage with the UN.
“Speaking up for human rights should never come at the expense of one's own personal safety and security. Shrinking civic space and increased surveillance online and offline are fuelling a hostile climate that hinders civil society’s cooperation with the UN and its human rights mechanisms,” Fuentes Julio said.
The report also highlights the role of laws in restricting the work of civil society organisations.
More than half of the 32 states covered have applied, enacted or changed laws that criminalise or place further restrictions on key civil society activities.
The states named in the report are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen and State of Palestine.
The legislation includes measures related to counterterrorism, cybercrime and national security. The report said such laws have been used in ways that affect the ability of civil society actors to work with the UN and its human rights mechanisms.
Certain groups were also identified as facing greater risks when exercising their rights and raising concerns affecting their communities.
They include young activists, women, environmental defenders and Indigenous Peoples, who the report said face heightened risks while advocating for their communities, lands and the environment.
The UN also recorded efforts to prevent civil society representatives from taking part in its forums. These included attempts to block or delay accreditation as well as harassment of participants while on UN premises.
Independent human rights experts, including holders of Special Procedures mandates, have also faced attacks, according to the report.
The UN warned that such actions could discourage other individuals and organisations from seeking to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms for fear of facing similar reprisals.
The report calls on states to stop intimidation and reprisals, investigate reported violations, ensure accountability and improve protection for people who cooperate with the UN.
It also points to measures being taken within the UN system and by member states to support safe and meaningful participation by civil society.
Fuentes Julio said protecting people who work with the UN was important to the organisation's ability to carry out its human rights mandate.
“No one should be forced to choose between their right to cooperate with the UN and their own safety or that of their families and communities,” she said.
“People must be able to cooperate freely with the UN. Safe and meaningful engagement with civil society is fundamental to advancing human rights worldwide. We call on all States to protect those who engage with the UN.”
The report covers the 12-month period from May 2025 to April 2026 and provides the UN's latest documented assessment of reprisals against people and organisations seeking to engage with its human rights system.