A/HRC/21/35 32. OHCHR closely monitors the impact, from a human rights perspective, of the Government’s granting and management of economic and other land concessions. Cases of focus included concessions granted within protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected forests and areas inhabited by indigenous peoples. On 7 May 2012, the Prime Minister issued a regulation imposing a moratorium on the issuance of new economic land concessions and greater scrutiny of existing land concessions with a view to protect the interests of communities, a development welcomed by OHCHR. Nevertheless, the procedures for implementation of the regulation have been unclear and are, in some cases, prone to irregularities. 33. Owing to the uneven application of the relatively well-developed legal framework governing land and housing rights, demonstrations and protests by affected communities in the capital and provinces became increasingly common during the reporting period. Although peaceful forms of protest and solidarity continued, the increasing use of tactics such as public nudity, the burning of effigies, the blocking of main roads, the destruction of company property, the seizure of illicit timber, violent confrontations with authorities and business actors (including one instance of hostage-taking) and the chaining together of protestors, reflected the increasing frustration of the landless population. 34. OHCHR repeatedly intervened to monitor demonstrations and protests with a view to prevent violence, and to secure the release of persons wrongfully accused or arbitrarily detained as a result. Of the 63 land disputes in which OHCHR was involved, the Office is aware of 182 people who were questioned by the court (some incidents pertained to longstanding land dispute cases), mostly on charges of disinformation, the obstruction of public officials with aggravated circumstances, illegal possession of unmovable property (land) belonging to public legal entity (the State), destruction of property and encroachment on forest land. In some cases, the charges were pending in the court and cases were continuously reactivated, while in others, people were detained. OHCHR advocated the application of due process of law, which, in certain cases, resulted in the release of individuals. 35. Women, the elderly and children are often on the front line at protests because communities surmise that such categories are less likely to be targeted by the authorities. There have, however, been increased cases of violence against women in the context of demonstrations and of arbitrary detention of female protesters. Women continue to suffer disproportionately in eviction and relocation processes, which have a heavy impact on family livelihoods and domestic responsibilities. Domestic violence at resettlement sites is reportedly widespread, as is unplanned parenthood. 36. OHCHR works to assist in the further development of procedural and legal safeguards, as well as to promote their implementation. In early 2010, the Government released a draft housing policy, which is still awaiting approval by the Council of Ministers. OHCHR stands ready to support the implementation of the policy with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. OHCHR provided comments on between 1,000 families and provincial authorities (garden project); in Samlot district, Kampong Lpov commune, a dispute between 78 families and a military operation in region 5, and in Kos Krolor district, Daun Bar and Preah Phos communes (three cases), a dispute between 550 families and multiple military personnel; in Banteay Meanchey province, Poipet town, a dispute between 943 families and the Asian Development Bank Railway Rehabilitation Project; in Phnom Penh city, Borei Keila community, a dispute between 1,776 families and the Phan Imex Company, and in Trapeang Anchang community, a dispute between 148 families and local authorities involving the Asian Development Bank Railway Rehabilitation Project. 10