A/HRC/18/47 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 15/20. It describes the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia during the period from July 2010 to June 2011. 2. During this period, the OHCHR programme of cooperation with the Government, civil society and the development community continued to focus on four priority areas: support to prison reform; the protection of fundamental freedoms and development of civil society; the protection of rights related to land and housing; and support for legal and judicial reform. A fifth area was added with the launch, in August 2010, of the OHCHR programme on promoting the legacy of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). 3. In pursuing the programme of cooperation, OHCHR continued to work with government partners in a spirit of constructive dialogue. As the activities reflected in the present report demonstrate, OHCHR has proven to be a sound source of technical expertise on human rights issues that continue to pose some of the most difficult challenges faced by Cambodia. The resolution of these issues will contribute to the country’s development, and the sustainability of its social and economic development. The Secretary General remains convinced that OHCHR in Cambodia can continue to make a significant and valuable contribution beyond the term of its current mandate. 4. The Government’s interaction with the United Nations human rights mechanisms continues to be of a high level. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia undertook two missions to the country during the reporting period and has stated that he continues to enjoy frank, cordial and productive relations with the Government. The reporting of Cambodia to the treaty-based bodies is now almost entirely up to date, and the Government has sought advice from OHCHR in preparing for its dialogues with the treaty bodies in Geneva. The State’s high human rights treaty ratification rate continued to grow with the coming into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in January 2011 – noteworthy, as it is the first individual complaints mechanism accepted by the country. Finally, the laudable acceptance by Cambodia of all 91 universal periodic review recommendations has been followed by a proactive government attitude to implementation, a process in which OHCHR is closely involved. 5. The legal and institutional framework of Cambodia has further developed, in some cases strengthening human rights protection, in others not. An ambitious legislative agenda includes draft laws on police, trade unions, acid attacks, associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other areas. Some of these draft laws raise concerns in terms of compliance with international standards. The Government is working to establish a national policy on legal aid, and the fundamental laws on the judiciary, pending since 1993, appear to be moving forward. The Government has shown an openness to OHCHR and United Nations input on these initiatives, which, if accepted, would serve to strengthen human rights protection generally. Other positive developments in the reporting period include several milestones at the ECCC. The first verdict of the Tribunal was rendered in July 2010 and is now the subject of the first appeal to the Supreme Court Chamber. The Tribunal marked a second milestone with the opening of the trial in case 002 in January 2011. OHCHR welcomes these and other positive developments in Cambodia and remains committed to supporting the Government in implementing these legislative and policy advancements. 3