A/HRC/39/73 Rights Defenders). In particular, a letter from the Minister of Interior dated 2 October 2017 requires non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide three-day prior notification to authorities for any events. The Government has indicated that this is to provide coordination, security, safety and order to civil society organization activities. This stipulation is not contained in the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations or the Law on Peaceful Demonstrations. Police systematically monitor civil society events. The Government has revoked the licences of some independent radio stations, independent media have had to shut down due to large tax bills and independent journalists have been charged with “espionage”. In May 2018, the Inter-Ministerial Proclamation (Prakas) on Publication Controls of Website and Social Media Processing via Internet in the Kingdom of Cambodia was adopted. The proclamation seeks to prevent publications or news through social media and the Internet on very broad grounds, such as “deliberately causing chaos” or “harming the national economy” or “traditional culture”. 8. During the interactive dialogue with States parties and other stakeholders at the thirty-sixth session of the Human Rights Council, many States invited the Special Rapporteur to pay particular attention to the human rights impact of the political situation in Cambodia ahead of the 2018 national elections. The present report was finalized and submitted before the date of the elections. However, the Special Rapporteur analyses the impact of the elections and electoral processes on human rights and fundamental freedoms in an addendum. 9. Cambodia remains a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and a lower-middle-income country. According to current estimates, it has maintained an economic growth rate of almost 7 per cent, which is likely to continue for at least the next two years. The Government has not approved any figures after 2014. 10. The Government has committed to finalize the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals by the end of 2018. There remains evidence of progress towards greater realization of several related rights and freedoms. For example, the country’s strong economic growth and rapid development has provided resources to improve social protection and access to education, decent work and health care. However, challenges remain, not least with goal 16. 11. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly recognizes that the promotion and protection of human rights is both a prerequisite to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as well as a result. The principle of leaving no one behind is perhaps the clearest expression of this link. Indeed, respect for human rights is an integral part of ensuring lasting development and peace in Cambodia. Nevertheless, over the past year, government ministers, both during meetings and through the submission of official documents, have addressed comments to the Special Rapporteur that prioritize peace, stability and development over human rights. Respect for rights and freedoms are enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution and Cambodia has ratified almost all the core human rights treaties. Human rights cannot be selectively respected or ignored, and they must never be sacrificed. Peace without justice is unsustainable; development without freedom leaves people behind. 12. During the period 2017−2018, the Government of Cambodia has published several statements aimed at “clarifying and setting the records straight” on various issues related to human rights. It has criticized both the United Nations generally and special rapporteurs, without any evidence base. The Special Rapporteur has countered these criticisms directly with the Government and calls on the Government to remove such criticisms from official publications and statements and undertake not to repeat them. Such action would help to promote constructive and meaningful dialogue on human rights issues. III. Update on recommendations in the previous report 13. The Special Rapporteur made a series of recommendations in previous reports. With a view to maintaining a dialogue with the Government, she reviews the recommendations made in her previous report to the Council (see A/HRC/36/61, para. 68) as follows: 3