A/HRC/RES/12/25 page 2 Bearing in mind the report of the Secretary-General on the role and achievements of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/12/41), Recognizing that the tragic history of Cambodia requires special measures to ensure the protection of human rights and the non-return to the policies and practices of the past, as stipulated in the Agreement on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict, signed in Paris on 23 October 1991, Taking note of the new developments in Cambodia, especially those associated with recent progress and efforts by the Government of Cambodia to promote and protect human rights, especially in the achievements and improvements of social, economic, political and cultural fields over recent years through its relevant national plans, strategies and frameworks, I. Khmer Rouge Tribunal 1. Reaffirms the importance of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia as an independent and impartial body, and believes it will significantly contribute to eradicating impunity and establishing the rule of law by, inter alia, exploiting its potential as a model court of Cambodia; 2. Welcomes the progress made with regard to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, including the substantive hearing concerning the accused Kaing Guek Eav, and supports the positions of the Government of Cambodia and the United Nations to proceed with the tribunal in a fair, efficient and expeditious manner, given the advanced age and frail health of the persons charged and the long overdue justice for the people of Cambodia; 3. Also welcomes the assistance of a number of States to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and, noting the revised budget estimate endorsed on 17 July 2008, encourages the Government of Cambodia to work with the United Nations and the States providing assistance to ensure the highest standards of administration of the Extraordinary Chambers, and invites further assistance for the Extraordinary Chambers in a prompt manner in order to ensure its successful functioning; II. Democracy and situation of human rights 4. Welcomes: (a) The cooperation extended by the Government of Cambodia and the constructive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur during his first mission in Cambodia; (b) The report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (A/HRC/12/40) and the recommendations contained therein; (c) The efforts and progress made by the Government of Cambodia in promoting legal and judicial reform under the leadership of the Council of Legal and Judicial Reform, including adopting and/or enforcing basic laws, such as the civil procedure code, the criminal procedure code and the civil code, as well as the approval of the criminal code at the Council of Ministers;