A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 on affected communities. In some cases, private companies actively engaged in threatening human rights defenders belonging to or protecting indigenous communities. 110. The entry into force of the Escazú Agreement and its implementation at the national level, will contribute significantly to the protection of the environment, and environmental, land and indigenous defenders in the region. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the ratification of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement) by five countries in the Americas, and calls on the remaining countries to take steps towards its ratification. 111. The Special Rapporteurs notes the increased challenges faced by women human rights defenders and those belonging to or protecting the rights of the LGBTI community as illustrated by the communications sent to Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Honduras. He reiterates that in addition to facing the same risks as any human rights defender, they are also targeted for or exposed to gender-specific threats and gender-basedviolence. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned by the situation of migrant rights defenders as illustrated by a communication sent to Mexico and reiterates that human rights defenders play a crucial role upholding migrant rights and providing services to vulnerable groups. He urges that they be supported and not restricted in their vital work. 112. The Special Rapporteur regrets to note that, during the reporting period, he received two reported cases of reprisals and intimidation against organisations and defenders for cooperation on human rights issues with international human rights mechanisms, including the UN, its representatives and mechanisms, concerning Nicaragua (NIC 1/2019) and Honduras (HND 2/2019). Antigua and Barbuda 113. JOL 15/07/2019 Case no: ATG 1/2097 State reply: none to date Concerns that the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement) has not entered into force because it has not acquired the minimum number of 11 ratifications. 114. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no response was received to the letter raising concerns for the lack of entry into force of the Escazú Agreement. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the signing of the treaty and urges Antigua and Barbuda to ratify the Agreement as early as possible. The Special Rapporteur hopes to receive updated information regarding steps taken towards its ratification and the timeline on how and when the Government plans to ratify it. At the time of finalization of this report twenty-two out of thirty-three countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have signed the Escazú Agreement and five have ratified it. The treaty will enter into force with 11 ratifications. Argentina JOL 15/07/2019 Case no: ARG 10/2019 State reply: 23/07/2019 115. Preocupación ante la falta de entrada en vigor del Acuerdo Regional Sobre el Acceso a la Información, Participación y Justicia en Asuntos Ambientales en América Latina y el Caribe (Acuerdo de Escazú) por no haberse alcanzado el número mínimo de 11 ratificaciones. JOL 22/11/2019 Case no: ARG 12/2019 State reply: 06/12/2019 116. Alegaciones de presuntas represalias y hostigamiento que habría sufrido el abogado Mario Luis Coriolano, por el ejercicio de sus funciones como Defensor de Casacion, asi como por los presuntos malaos tratos físicos y psíquicos y falta de atención medica con gravísimas consecuencias para su salud que habría sufrido Monica Mego Velayresse, quien se encuentra detenida en un establcimiento penitenciario delaProvincia de B uenos Aires. 20