A/HRC/21/63 the country showed again how seriously all actors were engaging in preparations for the forthcoming elections. Cambodians see a democratic future ahead. After a relatively short history of democracy, Cambodians are accustomed to the idea of voting, and the election organizers have greatly increased their capacity to do so. A key challenge will be to anchor this thirst for democracy in the country’s young people. The Special Rapporteur was encouraged by the efforts of the National Election Committee to devise programmes to reach out to the burgeoning population of young people. 8. More generally, since the first elections, in 1993, the Government and electoral institutions have greatly increased their knowledge and strengthened their ability to organize elections. The Special Rapporteur is pleased to report that civil servants working in Government ministries, the National Election Committee, other State institutions and civil society all demonstrate an extremely good understanding of the laws and practices governing the electoral process in Cambodia. 9. During his sixth mission, the Special Rapporteur received much information on the electoral process from people and institutions with often conflicting viewpoints. Many presented information on the improvements made over the past decade to ensure that elections conformed to good international practice and human rights standards. Others alleged irregularities or described systemic problems undermining the country’s ability to hold free and fair elections. 10. In view of the forthcoming elections, the Special Rapporteur wrote to the Prime Minister on 21 December 2011 outlining his preliminary findings, observations and recommendations on electoral reform. He is awaiting the Government’s response. 11. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur makes constructive recommendations to reform the electoral process and hopes that the Government, the National Election Committee and other stakeholders will implement them. 12. The Special Rapporteur’s sixth mission coincided with the celebration of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2011, during which he participated in a march and rally organized by civil society to mark the day. In his address to the rally, he outlined his work in the country to promote and protect human rights. He welcomed the opportunity afforded during the rally and subsequently to interact with Cambodians and to hear their concerns about human rights in the country. He also visited and addressed an event organized by the Boeung Kak community, coming away encouraged by the determination shown by the women residents of the area to defend their rights peacefully. 13. On 7 December 2011, the Special Rapporteur gave the keynote address at the launch of the publication Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework, which was published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in English and in Khmer, the first translation of the Guiding Principles into a language other than the six official languages of the United Nations. He greeted some 100 participants, including representatives of the Government (such as the ministries of environment, justice, interior, defence and agriculture, forestry and fisheries); the National Assembly; non-governmental organizations; civil society; the private sector; business associations; professional associations; development partners; and the United Nations. He emphasized that Cambodia’s current trajectory of economic and social development would not be sustainable unless it was inclusive and well-planned, and highlighted that business practices should be undertaken responsibly and with appropriate due diligence and oversight. He noted that the Guiding Principles provided a framework within which the Government, business enterprises, civil society and development partners could implement international human rights obligations. 5