A/HRC/43/51/Add.3 and its activities, since rights defenders fear being harassed or arbitrarily arrested and detained. 309. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the explanations provided by the Government in its reply of 04/04/2019, concerning the follow-up undertaken regarding alleged violations and abuses by OceanaGold Corporation in the Philippines, and the general measures put in place to hold Australian business enterprises operating outside the State’s territory accountable to human rights standards. In regard to the alleged intimidation of environmental defenders and indigenous leaders who oppose the mine, the Government replied that it was unaware of any link between the mining activities of OceanaGold and military operations in Nueva Vizcaya. 310. In regard to the measures put in place by the Government, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the Government’s commitment to encourage businesses to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises through the activities of Australia's National Contact Point (NCP). The Special Rapporteur underscores Principle 18 of the UN Guiding Principles, which reaffirms the essential role of civil society and human rights defenders in helping to identify potential adverse business-related human rights impacts. The Commentary to Principle 26 underlines how States, in order to ensure access to remedy, should make sure that the legitimate activities of human rights defenders are not obstructed. Bangladesh 311. JLA 19 Dec 2018 Case no: BGD 8/2018 State reply: none to date Alleged rise of religious fundamentalism, which has reportedly led to extremist violence against religious minorities, human rights defenders and secular writers or media workers, as well as the fear of targeted violence against religious minorities in the context of the upcoming general elections. 312. JLA 31 Dec 2018 Case no: BGD 10∕2018 State reply: none to date Alleged smear campaign against human rights non-governmental organization Odhikar as well as harassment and acts of violence against its staff. 313. JUA 29 May 2019 Case no: BGD 1/2019 State reply: none to date Alleged death threats and incitement to violence by a militant Islamist group against women human rights defender Ms. Sultana Kamal. 314. JUA 10 Sep 2019 Case no: BGD 2/2019 State reply: none to date Allegations of retaliatory measures taken by Bangladeshi authorities against Rohingya refugees in reaction to the “Genocide Day” protest, which occurred on 25 August 2019. 315. PR 16/09/19 Bangladesh: UN experts concerned by crackdown at Rohingya refugee camps 316. PR 20/12/18 UN human rights experts alarmed by violence ahead of election 317. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no reply has been received to the concerns and questions raised in the four joint communications sent during the reporting period. He urges the Government to engage in full cooperation with the mandates of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. 318. The Special Rapporteur remains extremely concerned in regard to the situation of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, notably in regard to threat and attacks linked to religious extremism. Those who advocate for human rights or secularist views continue to be subjected to physical and verbal attacks by supporters of militant Islamist groups. Between February 2013 and June 2016, at least 14 human rights defenders were murdered in 47