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LAWFUL ACTIVITIES, NON LEGAL ENTITIES • Are there impediments to the ability of individuals to join together to engage in activities to promote and protect human rights without the requirement to register as legal entities (e.g., criminal sanctions)? If so, what steps is the State taking to remove these impediments? Most relevant to Section 1.5 of the full NBA Template. Status/Gaps: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION • Is the right to freedom of expression, in line with international human rights law, guaranteed? If not, what efforts are being made to amend legislation or policies that restrict human rights defenders in the full exercise of their right to freedom of expression, specifically in relation to expression pertaining to the human rights impacts and violations of corporations? Most relevant to Section 1.5 of the full NBA Template. Status/Gaps: WHISTLEBLOWERS • Are there laws to protect human rights related disclosures in relation to both State and non-­‐State actors, and the individuals making such disclosures? Most relevant to Sections 3.1 and 26.2 of the full NBA Template. Status/Gaps: ACCESS TO OR DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION • Are there transparent and clear laws and policies that ensure information held by public authorities regarding business-­‐related human rights violations is proactively disclosed? Is the right to request and receive such information provided for by law? Are exceptions to this right narrow and clearly defined? • Are there meaningful penalties for non-­‐disclosure under transparency and reporting regimes? • Do freedom of information laws contain a presumption in favour of access to human rights related information held by both public and private bodies, and guarantee the timely provision of such information? Are any exemptions or exceptions narrow and clearly defined? Most relevant to Sections 3.1, 3.2, 26.2 and 27.3 of the full NBA Template. Status/Gaps: CONSULTATION AND CONSENT • Are there laws and policies that guarantee the meaningful consultation of potentially affected communities, and encourage the consultation of defenders prior to the granting of licenses for business projects? • Are there laws that guarantee the free, prior, and informed consent of potentially affected communities, particularly indigenous and tribal peoples? • Are there laws to guarantee clear and transparent processes to establish land titles, and do they foresee the proper consultation of local communities and human rights defenders? • Is the implementation of business projects stopped when there are doubts regarding the guarantee of communities’ rights to free, prior, and informed consent? If not, what is the response of the State in such instances? Most relevant to Section 1.5 of the full NBA Template. Status/Gaps: 18