A/HRC/7/42 page 4 Introduction 1. This is the third report by this Special Representative since his appointment by the Secretary-General on 1 November 2005, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. The Special Representative undertook his third mission to Cambodia from 29 to 31 May and his fourth from 1 to 10 December 2007. 2. This report examines the extent to which the rule of law is observed in Cambodia. The framework of the rule of law enables one to gain valuable insights into the legal, judicial and political system of a country, exploring systematically the strengths and weaknesses of the legal and judicial system, and the impact of the analyses and recommendations of successive Special Representatives. The report examines how to maximize the impact of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)’s jurisprudence and practice on the Cambodian national legal system. 3. The report analyses the electoral system, considering what reforms may be appropriate for the National Assembly elections due in July 2008. 4. During his fourth mission, the Special Representative met with representatives of Cambodian civil society, the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC), lawyers working with NGOs providing legal services, members of the diplomatic community, international agencies, development and international NGOs, journalists, prison officials and two detainees, judges, prosecutors, defenders and staff of ECCC. He regrets that requests to meet Prime Minister Hun Sen or any ministers or senior public servants were rejected, frustrating any dialogue. 5. He visited Rattanakiri province, and met with human rights associations, had a lengthy discussion with the Acting President of the provincial court, and visited the provincial prison. At the Kong Yu village he studied at first hand a land dispute between the indigenous villagers and a company, and had some unexpected experience of the sort of harassment that faces villagers and those showing an interest in their problems (see paragraph 70). The Deputy Provincial Governor was not in his office when the Special Representative went to keep an appointment with him. 6. The Special Representative encountered communities who fear police aggression and arrest when he visited the Dey Krahom and Group 78 communities in Phnom Penh, where residents face illegal evictions. 7. The Special Representative participated in ceremonies to mark International Human Rights Day, organized by civil society groups. I. THE RULE OF LAW 8. The importance of the rule of law and United Nations role in its promotion has been repeatedly emphasized. Visiting Cambodia in 2006, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, described court reform as “the single most important area” requiring progress.