A/HRC/31/3 their operations. However, if the promise of the Guiding Principles is to be realized, greater leadership and more robust action are needed, in particular in relation to accountability and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuses. OHCHR continued to engage in consultations in the framework of its Accountability and Remedy Project. 77. In Cambodia, businesses that had benefited from land concessions and affected communities solicited OHCHR advice to remedy the human rights impact of such processes. In Panama, OHCHR and other United Nations entities facilitated dialogue between a high-level government committee and indigenous peoples’ representatives opposing the construction of the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam. In Colombia, OHCHR assisted several companies and communities in achieving fair solutions to the human rights impact of business operations. OHCHR worked with the regional network of the Global Compact in Central America to integrate human rights in private companies’ activities. OHCHR provided support and guidance to government officials, business representatives and other stakeholders in Malawi and Tunisia on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. E. Widening the democratic space 78. In 2015, countries in all regions experienced challenges to the rights to freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, particularly ahead of elections, in the context of counter-terrorism and in the face of social and political protests. In many instances, restrictions were placed on human rights defenders and their families, environmentalists, anti-corruption activists, journalists and opposition leaders or supporters. The persistent reprisals against those seeking to cooperate with the United Nations in the field of human rights were of particular concern. The High Commissioner repeatedly drew attention to attacks on human rights defenders and journalists and OHCHR provided technical advice to authorities on how to enhance protection, including in Guatemala, South Sudan and Tunisia. In Colombia, further to OHCHR advice, the Attorney-General’s Office adopted a strategic plan for the investigation of violence against human rights defenders. In El Salvador and Mexico, OHCHR contributed to strengthening the protection mechanism for human rights defenders under attack and under the threat of attack. 79. OHCHR continued to develop the capacity of civil society organizations, seeking to improve protection at the national level through assistance to legal reforms and advocacy against restrictions of public freedoms. It supported an emerging network of women human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the establishment of a regional civil society coalition to counter incitement and promote tolerance. In TimorLeste, OHCHR supported human rights defenders’ dialogue on the establishment of a permanent human rights advocacy network. 80. OHCHR provided advice on the draft law on civil society association in Mauritania, promoting participation of civil society in the process. In Kenya, it advised the Government on a draft policy on public participation. In Uganda, it supported civil society advocacy for the integration of international human rights into the non-governmental organizations bill. 81. OHCHR participated in the Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism for United Nations Electoral Assistance, advocating for a human rights approach to United Nations electoral assistance. In February, OHCHR and the Carter Center co-chaired a workshop gathering electoral observers and human rights defenders to discuss increased cooperation. In Burundi, Guatemala and Haiti, OHCHR monitored human rights in the electoral context. 82. At the global level, OHCHR continued its advocacy on the protection of the right to privacy and other human rights, including at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and the Internet Governance Forum. 13