A/HRC/39/73 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 36/32. During the year under review, the Special Rapporteur monitored the situation of human rights in Cambodia, receiving information from different stakeholders, including the Government, civil society organizations and private citizens. She undertook two missions to Cambodia: from 8 to 17 August 2017 and from 5 to14 March 2018. The present report covers the period from June 2017 to June 2018, drawing on the findings from the two missions as well as other information received throughout the year. 2. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the Government for its cooperation during her missions. 3. During the missions, the Special Rapporteur met with government representatives and other stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the United Nations country team and other development partners. In particular, the Special Rapporteur met with Samdech Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly; Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Prak Sokhonn, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Aun Pornmoniroth, Senior Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Ang Vong Vathana, Minister of Justice; Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports; Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health; Vong Sauth, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation; Keo Remy, Chair of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee; Sik Bun Hok, President of the National Election Committee; You Bun Leng, President of the Court of Appeal; You Ottara, Deputy President of the Supreme Court; Sou Arafad, Deputy Governor of Battambang Province; and Om Reatrey, Deputy Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province. She also met with the then leader of the now dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha, in August 2017, as well as a range of political actors and other stakeholders. 4. It was regrettable that during both missions again she was denied confidential interviews with detainees and, indeed, access to Correctional Centre 3 to visit Kem Sokha. The Special Rapporteur visited the Phnom Penh Social Affairs Drop-in Centre (Prey Speu Centre), Correctional Centres 1 and 2 and Phnom Penh Capital Prison. During field visits to Battambang and Banteay Mancheay Provinces in August 2017, she was invited to visit drug rehabilitation centres and visited Chivit Thmey Drug Rehabilitation Centre. 5. Finally, the Special Rapporteur is encouraged by the Government’s willingness to respond to communications submitted by special procedure mandate holders and welcomes this opportunity for deepening dialogue and understanding. II. General situation of human rights in Cambodia 6. The year under review was marked by significant political developments. It began with the local-level election on 4 June 2017 and ended as the country neared the general (National Assembly) election on 29 July 2018. The commune/sangkat elections were orderly and peaceful, with some 90 per cent of the electorate casting votes. Unfortunately, subsequent events meant that the results of these elections were changed dramatically, albeit in accordance with new laws. The President of the former main opposition party, CNRP, Kem Sokha, was detained in September on treason-related charges. On 16 November, the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of CNRP and banned 118 senior members from political activity for five years. The CNRP seats in the National Assembly and positions at the communal level were then reallocated to other parties, principally the ruling Cambodian Peoples’ Party (CPP). 7. The political situation continues to have implications for the protection and promotion of all human rights in the country. Human rights defenders are particularly at risk in this twentieth anniversary year of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human 2