A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 400. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned at reports of failure to ensure due process, notably in regard to access to legal counsel, and the use of national security legislation to prosecute citizens for exercising their rights to freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly. The Special Rapporteur also remains concerned by conditions of imprisonment for human rights defenders in Iran. Allegations of torture, ill-treatment and denial of access to medical care continue to be reported. 401. Concerning the cases of Mr. Esmail Bakhshi and Ms. Sepideh Gholian, the Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its reply dated 15 April 2019. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned at the allegations of torture and ill-treatment during detention, linked to their participation in a peaceful protest denouncing alleged unpaid wages and violations of labour rights of employees of a sugarcane company in Khuzestan Province. 402. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his serious concern at the continuing arbitrary detention and deteriorating health condition of Ms. Narges Mohammadi as a result of the alleged denial of appropriate medical care, particularly in light of a reported serious infection following surgery. Ms. Mohammadi is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence for “membership in the Step by Step to Stop the Death Penalty group”, “collusion and assembly against national security” and “spreading propaganda against the system”. 403. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned at the continued targeting of women human rights defenders and those advocating for women’s rights. The cases of Ms. Yasaman Aryani, Ms. Monireh Arabshahi and Ms. Mojgan Keshavarz are emblematic of other similar cases of women’s rights advocates detained and charged on national security-related charges for promoting women’s rights, including by protesting against the compulsory wearing of the hijab veil. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the Government’s reply dated 14 November 2019 in which the sentences handed down to the three women are stated (respectively 16, 16 and 23 years). The Special Rapporteur is deeply disturbed by the disproportionate length of these sentences and remains concerned at the use of repressive legislation to criminalize the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in ways that are incompatible with Iran’s obligations under international human rights law. Japan 404. JAL 10/09/2019 Case no: JPN 4/2019 State reply: 09/12/2019 Information received concerning the alleged criminal complaint of extortion against Mr. Walter Dionicio Sánchez Ramos, which appears to be linked to his work in defence of the human rights of workers and families affected by the activities of the Japanese company Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. in Ecuador. 405. The Special Rapporteur expresses his thanks to the Japanese government for the response received to the communication sent on 10 September 2019. 406. The Special Rapporteur remains deeply concerned by the actions of Japanese company Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. in Ecuador. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the response provided by the Government of Japan to the letter of allegation, and its elaboration on remedies available and measures taken to encourage Japanese companies’ ethical operations abroad. However he expresses his concern regarding the lack of response provided to the specific case of Furukawa Plantaciones C.A., particularly considering the seriousness of the allegations it is facing, which includes, but is not limited to, absence of employment contracts, inhumane working conditions, servitude and child labour. 407. The Special Rapporteur also notes with concern that the Government failed to make reference to Mr. Walter Dionicio Sánchez Ramos in their response dated 9 December 2019. Mr. Ramos is a human rights defender and lawyer who has received threats from the company in response to his representation of more than 400 persons whose rights have been allegedly violated. We would like to remind the Government of Japan of Human Rights Council resolution 13/13, which urges States to put an end to and take concrete steps to prevent threats, harassment violence and attacks by States and non-State actors against all those engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. As per General Recommendation 24 (2017) of the Committee on the Economic, Social and Cultural 57