A/HRC/42/60 of Planning led the organization of the report. The Ministry of Planning, in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the United Nations country team in Cambodia, convened a workshop in January 2019 with the umbrella organization Cooperation Committee for Cambodia, which is composed of approximately 200 national and international associations and NGOs. The Special Rapporteur notes the challenges of drafting the voluntary national review at almost the same time as the Cambodian Goals but recommends that an inclusive participatory approach characterize the follow-up to the review. V. Conclusions and recommendations 71. A year on from the national elections of 29 July 2018, the human rights situation in Cambodia remains dominated by the repression of political rights. The Cambodia National Rescue Party remains banned, its former President, Kem Sokha, remains in detention, the political rights of its supporters and members continue to be denied and the Cambodian People’s Party has consolidated its overwhelming dominance over State institutions. Some apparent openings of democratic and civic space in the last months of 2018 do not appear to be effecting change: over 140 members of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party have received summons and some have been detained for expressing support for their former leaders or for attending gatherings; the revocation of the three-day notification requirement for civil society organizations before holding activities has not been matched by a reduction in official monitoring of such activities; and statements by government officials have tended to vilify civil society organizations, in particular human rights organizations. 72. The Special Rapporteur has noted aggressive rhetoric from the leaders of both the Cambodian People’s Party and the former Cambodia National Rescue Party which is doing nothing to move beyond the current political situation and create a spirit of dialogue and reconciliation. As Cambodia advances into its new political mandate as a de facto one-party State, a new political culture, focusing on issues, openness to different opinions and the free expression of ideas, would go a long way to ensuring a shared future that benefits all Cambodians. Challenges to ideas and policies are part of the normal democratic debate in multiparty liberal democracies, as enshrined in the Constitution. Greater participation in decision-making and heightened accountability will strengthen, not weaken, governance. The Special Rapporteur remains committed to listening to all stakeholders in an impartial manner and supporting inclusive dialogue, as she continues to monitor and advocate for the enjoyment of human rights by everyone in Cambodia. 73. Improving the enjoyment of political rights is an end in itself, but it is also important to meeting the country’s commitments to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. So much is clearly recognized in Sustainable Development Goal 16 and target 16.7 on ensuring participatory decision-making at all levels. It is also noteworthy that the proportion of female government officials in ministries and agencies has increased from 40 per cent in 2016 to 41 per cent in 2018.22 In that regard, the Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals Framework would benefit from a clearer reflection of the human rights aspects of the 2030 Agenda. Human rights bring to life the people who are at the centre of the Sustainable Development Goals. A clearer articulation of human rights in the Government’s strategic development framework and practical actions will help to support the country’s rapid development and for it to be inclusive, peaceful and just, leaving no one behind. That would help all Cambodians and support the country’s aspiration to be an “oasis of peace”, based on democratic principles and human rights, and focused on progress, development and prosperity. 74. In that regard, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government of Cambodia: 22 18 Cambodia’s Voluntary National Review 2019, p. 39.