A/HRC/18/26 conflicts relating to the exploitation of natural resources and access to land, special attention was paid to cases of arbitrary detentions of indigenous leaders, threats against their personal integrity and the killing of four indigenous leaders in Quebrada Seca, Izabal. 24. In Mexico, the Office conducted a number of monitoring missions related to the rights of indigenous peoples and on threats to human rights defenders. They included a mission to Oaxaca to interview authorities and indigenous leaders on the killing of two human rights defenders working on indigenous peoples’ rights, and the monitoring of a trial of an indigenous human rights defender in Guerrero, who was eventually released free of all charges. 25. The Office also conducted a monitoring mission to Chiapas to assess the impact on human rights of mining activities and to assess the consultation of indigenous peoples in the development of the Sustainable Rural Towns initiative, which aims to provide access to education and health. During a field visit to the community of Paso La Reina, OHCHR looked at the issue of consultation of indigenous peoples in the context of construction of a hydroelectric dam. 26. In Asia, OHCHR country offices monitored cases of land concessions, protests, and bonded labour issues affecting indigenous communities. OHCHR Cambodia continued to monitor the impact of economic land concessions and land-grabbing for agro-industrial purposes, such as rubber and cassava plantations, and mining and oil activities that affect indigenous peoples. In some cases, concessions have been granted without respecting the duty to consult with indigenous communities, thereby threatening their livelihood, culture, traditions, burial grounds and forests. Some contentious land cases have resulted in violence against land rights activists as well as members of communities disputing their eviction. OHCHR Cambodia has, in certain cases, sought to facilitate dialogue between members of Government, representatives of private enterprises, civil society organizations and leaders of indigenous communities with a view to encouraging respect for human rights in the context of land disputes. 27. In a current programme, OHCHR Cambodia is assisting communities to undertake a process of self-identification as indigenous peoples and registration with the Ministry of Land Management so that they are entitled to apply for collective land title. The process is mandated by the Land Law of 2001, which recognizes indigenous communities as legal entities prior to securing legal tenure. Current efforts of the Office are focused on assisting the Phnong peoples of Bousra Commune, Mondulkuri province, to protect their rights in the light of the economic land concessions of 2008 that threaten to affect more than 800 families. Efforts by OHCHR in this regard focus on (a) accelerating registration of indigenous communities who are not yet recognized as legal entities; and (b) assisting with the provision of communal land ownership to indigenous communities to ensure that they have security of tenure. 28. In Nepal, the Office continued to monitor protests and demonstrations organized by indigenous peoples across the country to demand self-determination and the creation of autonomous States in the proposed federal system of Nepal. By monitoring various cases, OHCHR played a preventive role in areas characterized by a volatile political situation. The Office in Nepal also continued to monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court decision of 2006 ordering the Government to implement existing laws prohibiting child exploitation, including the Kamalari practice.1 Through its work with local organizations 1 The Kamalari practice is a form of bonded labour where children belonging to the Tharu indigenous group are sent to work with wealthy families, and often subjected to physical abuse and sexual exploitation. 7