A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 exercise of the right to freedom of association and the right to participate in political and public life. 271. JUA 21/12/2015. Case no. KHM 7/2015. State reply: 14/01/2016. Allegations of arbitrary arrest and detention, and lack of due process guarantees and fair trial of members of the opposition parties Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP- which later merged into CNRP), on the basis of their political views. 272. PR 22/05/2015 Cambodian civil society excluded from NGO bill drafting process, UN rights expert warns 273. PR 15/07/2015 “Cambodia’s NGO Bill threatens a free and independent civil society” – UN expert urges Senate to reject it Observations Responses to communications 274. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the response of the Government of Cambodia to his joint communication of 21 December 2015 (KHM 7/2015) informing his fellow Special Rapporteur Ms. Rhona Smith that the letter should be directed to the judiciary. He looks forward to receiving a detailed response shortly. However, he regrets that the Government failed to respond to all the other communications sent during the reporting period. He considers responses to his communications as an important part of the cooperation of governments with his mandate and again urges the authorities to comply with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010) on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association that call upon States to cooperate fully with and assist him in the performance of his mandate and to respond promptly to his communications. 275. The Special Rapporteur reiterates all the serious concerns he made in his various communications and press statements on the draft Law on Associations and NonGovernmental Organisations (LANGO), which later became an Act of Parliament, which is unequivocally threatens the very existence of a free and independent civil society in Cambodia. He urges the Government to review the law and bring it in compliance with international human rights norms and standards without delay. 276. He further reiterates his concern that the judicial procedures against Mr. Chakrya are related to his legitimate and peaceful work providing legal assistance in Cambodia, and that it is an attempt to dissuade him from continuing his work in cases concerning land rights and, more broadly, to quell criticism and deter individuals from exercising their legitimate right to freedom of association in Cambodia. 277. Similarly, he reiterates serious concerns about the alleged arbitrary arrest and continued detention of Messrs. Try Sovikea, Sun Mal, Sim Samnang and Ven Vorn, which appear directly related to their legitimate human rights work, defending and exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association. Further concern is reiterated that the ban imposed on the human rights training session and the threat to arrest the participants may be linked to the legitimate human rights activities of Mother Nature who work closely with local communities to teach them about methods of direct but peaceful action to protect their environment and human rights. 278. The Special Rapporteur also remains concerned about the physical harassment of Mr. Kung Sophea and Mr. Nhay Chamraoen, two parliamentarians belonging to the main opposition party CNRP, in their legitimate and peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and to participate in political and public life. Similarly, serious concern is reiterated at the alleged arbitrary arrest, in some cases 43