A/HRC/39/73 appeals, 2 allegation letters and 4 other letters were communicated to the Government. They were issued by the country mandate and/or other special procedure mechanisms. The Special Rapporteur issued eight press releases. The predominant subjects were political participation and freedom of expression. 88. In addition, on 19 April 2018, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined that the ongoing detention of Kem Sokha was arbitrary (A/HRC/WGAD/2018/9). The Government acknowledged receipt of the communication from the Working Group but has not yet responded to provide its views. XII. Conclusions 89. The overall human rights situation in Cambodia has suffered over the past year. On one hand, the ongoing economic growth that Cambodia is enjoying has paved the way for improvements in the area of economic and social rights, in particular, social protection, minimum wage and maternity leave. The Government has also submitted its sixth report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which will help promote dialogue on gender equality, and its combined fourteenth to sixteenth reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. While these are welcome developments, there has been regression in the area of political rights and enjoyment of fundamental freedoms. The dissolution of CNRP and the imprisonment of its President, Kem Sokha, the banning of 118 CNRP officials from political activity for five years and the reallocation of CNRP seats to unelected representatives have seriously strained political rights. Developments in law, policy and practice, including amendment of the Constitution to introduce a lèse-majesté law, have targeted critical and dissenting voices and significantly curtailed fundamental freedoms. These developments are grave. For economic development to be sustainable, the indivisibility of rights dictates that respect for civil and political rights should accompany improvements in economic and social rights. 90. Reflecting on Cambodian history, the Special Rapporteur reiterates that human rights are crucial for durable peace, stability and development. The vision based on the Charter of the United Nations and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underlies the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also reflected in Cambodia’s Constitution, which states that Cambodia is to be an “oasis of peace” based on a liberal multiparty democratic system guaranteeing human rights and respect of law and progressively developing the nation. 91. Given the dramatic economic development and progress in Cambodia, it is now timely to focus on securing the Sustainable Development Goals and developing action plans with concrete targets to ensure that all Cambodians can equally share the benefits of that development. The Special Rapporteur looks forward to receiving the localization plan for the Goals and to working with the Government, development partners and civil society towards securing those goals. She therefore intends to focus her next report on the human rights aspects of the localization of the Goals. XIII. Recommendations 92. The Special Rapporteur reiterates her willingness to work with the Government to protect, respect and promote human rights for the benefit of all people in Cambodia. By way of supporting the Government in making tangible progress towards implementing the range of recommendations, and in pursuance of discussions thereon, the following recommendations are highlighted for immediate action. The Government should: (a) Convene a national conference in 2019, with the participation of civil society organizations, donors and United Nations agencies, to prepare a coordinated plan for the implementation of recommendations from the universal periodic review, treaty bodies and special procedures; 17

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