A/HRC/28/42 B. Empowerment for free, informed and meaningful participation in public decision-making Cambodia: building local capacities in regard to land and housing rights 39. The OHCHR office in Cambodia has continued its work to build greater human rights awareness among indigenous communities, particularly regarding the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as land and housing rights. OHCHR monitored ongoing and unresolved disputes between indigenous communities, authorities and businesses, and engaged in the facilitation of dialogue, court monitoring and the provision of legal and procedural advice. In 2013 and 2014, OHCHR also provided support to 11 indigenous communities to complete their registration as legal entities and submit their applications for collective land titles. As a result, those communities are now in a stronger position to defend and claim their rights to land and livelihood. 40. OHCHR Cambodia also produced publications on land and housing rights, as well as a picture book for indigenous peoples on business and human rights, prepared in cooperation with an indigenous peoples’ network organization. The aim is to gradually strengthen the role of indigenous communities in national protection systems and, through increased knowledge and understanding, to allow them to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect them. To that end, since 2013 OHCHR has been providing training for civil society organizations and communities on monitoring economic, social and cultural rights, and on implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Information on business and human rights was also shared with the Government’s AntiCorruption Unit, donors, businesses and professional associations. 41. OHCHR continued to monitor legislative developments that could affect indigenous peoples’ land and housing rights. That included support for the consultation process for a bill on environmental impact assessments, led by the Ministry of the Environment. OHCHR facilitated participation in the consultation process by indigenous leaders and other representatives of communities affected by development projects and involved in land disputes. The Office also provided advice on the harmonization of the draft bill with international standards. 42. OHCHR has also been engaged in promoting and protecting the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In 2013, it organized five training sessions on the implementation of the Law on Peaceful Demonstrations and international standards on freedom of expression and assembly. The training outlined the respective responsibilities of organizers of demonstrations and authorities, and gave guidance to participants on how to conduct demonstrations in accordance with the law. In addition, OHCHR trained staff of non-governmental organizations on how to monitor the right to peaceful assembly. In cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, OHCHR also produced a laminated card outlining the respective roles and responsibilities of organizers of demonstrations and local authorities. The card is being disseminated among government officials, civil society and the general public. In addition, OHCHR produced a series of radio broadcasts in which local organizations participated and discussed issues relating to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Colombia: promoting the right of indigenous peoples to prior, free and informed consultation 43. In the context of increasing demands from communities of African descent and indigenous peoples for their rights to prior consultation and free and informed consent to be recognized, OHCHR developed a project to hold broad-based consultations with the communities concerned in the course of 2012. OHCHR invited indigenous, Afro- 11

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