A/HRC/12/40 page 7 Cambodian law. My aim as Special Rapporteur is not merely to criticize the Government for its failings, but to offer expert, independent and objective advice to the Government and work with it to promote and protect human rights, strengthen the rule of law and foster international cooperation for that purpose, and support the efforts of the Government and civil society representatives in this regard. I am concerned about the deteriorating situation with regard to land evictions and freedom of expression/defamation and look forward to working with the Government and the representatives of civil society to address these issues. V. FUTURE APPROACH 22. I wish to begin a new chapter of cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia. I regard my mandate as part of the United Nations efforts to offer assistance to the people and Government of Cambodia. The impression that I formed during my first mission to the country was that the Government is willing to work with me, with the civil society and the international community in addressing some of the human rights issues facing the nation. I have offered my assistance to the Government in identifying the issues and in addressing them in a constructive manner and am looking forward to a positive response. 23. I hope that both the Government and civil society representatives will find in me a willing partner in their endeavours to improve the human rights situation in the country. I also will be a willing listener to concerns from both sides and offer my services as an independent and impartial special rapporteur of the United Nations, bringing together my own experience of work in the fields of international law, human rights law and constitutional law gained over a long period of time in both developed and developing countries. My approach would be to work in good faith, expecting the same from other sides, and reserve judgement, recognize achievements and acknowledge weaknesses honestly where necessary but in a constructive manner. 24. I was pleased with the work being carried out by the Cambodia Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist the Government and the civil society in promoting and protecting human rights in Cambodia. and with the level of cooperation extended to me during my visit. I intend to cooperate constructively with the Cambodia Office in the implementation of my mandate and hope that the Government will continue to work with this Office in several key and sensitive sectors through an approach based on dialogue, cooperation and constructive criticism, as this would facilitate immensely my work and that of the whole United Nations human rights machinery. VI. CONCLUSIONS 25. In conclusion, I believe that the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia depends on making real and substantial progress in strengthening the rule of law, creating a clearer separation of power between the three main branches of the Government, protecting the independence of the judiciary, including that of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, and addressing issues such as conflicts over land, impunity and control of corruption. I intend to focus my attention on these substantive issues during my future visits to the country and hope that the Government will be willing to engage in a constructive dialogue on these issues.