On Friday, 28 November 2025, the Working Group on Relations with Civil Society and Equality Bodies of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) organised an online exchange of views with Ilze Brands Kehris, United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, who heads the New York Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and is the senior official designated by the UN Secretary General to address the issue of intimidation of and reprisals against civil society and other actors for cooperation with the United Nations.

During the exchange, Ms Brands Kehris gave an overview of the most common forms of intimidation and reprisals experienced by civil society and other actors cooperating with the UN on human rights and of various successes and challenges in addressing allegations of actions to prevent them from engaging with the UN on human rights or to put an end to such engagement.

ECRI members shared their own observations about risks faced by civil society partners when engaging with ECRI in certain circumstances or situations, prompting enhancements in confidentiality protocols in the context of their monitoring work, including country visits.

The exchange of views concluded with a shared commitment to reinforce co-operation with civil society networks and organisations, national equality bodies and human rights institutions, and between UN relevant bodies and ECRI. It was also considered crucial to develop the arsenal of protective measures when civil society partners face intimidation or reprisals in these times of shrinking civic space and democratic and human rights backsliding in Europe and globally.