A/HRC/18/47 800 families could protect themselves against the threat of ELCs, in cooperation with relevant ministries and the ILO. 38. The judiciary has not been effective in upholding the rights of many people affected by disputes concerning land ownership. Various communities have indicated informally that they favour non-judicial mechanisms, as they lack faith in the court system. The existing mechanisms for land disputes, such as the cadastral commissions and the National Authority for Land Dispute Resolution, are reportedly lacking in resources and prone to political interference. Coupled with an indefinite number of claims arising from a lack of documentation or official land title, the result has been an unabated case load of land disputes among individuals, communities, private companies and the Government. 39. During the reporting period, OHCHR was called for assistance in 42 land disputes between affected villagers and companies, 18 of which related to ELCs,1 (including seven on indigenous land) while 24 disputes were related to other land transactions2 (two on indigenous land). OHCHR interventions took the form of assistance and legal advice to provincial and local authorities, as well as to affected communities and the NGOs supporting them. Upon request, OHCHR also mediated or facilitated discussions or negotiations among stakeholders to resolve disputes. 40. The rights of NGOs and communities involved in land disputes or facing forced eviction to freedom of expression and assembly are often curtailed. Criminal charges continued to be brought against villagers and human rights defenders. In relation to the 42 dispute cases assisted by OHCHR, 116 people were arrested and detained and questioned by the court, mostly on charges of dissemination of disinformation and incitement. OHCHR 1 2 These cases include but are not limited to the following: in Mondulkiri province, Pichreada district, Bousra commune, a dispute between 800 families of the Phnong (Bunong) indigenous community and Socfin-KCD and partners; in Kratie province, Snoul district, Sre Char commune, a dispute between 224 families and the CIV Development Company; in Kampong Speu province, Tpong district, Amleang commune, a dispute between 1,000 families and the Phnom Penh Sugar Company and Kampong Speu Sugar Company; in Pursat province, Kravahn and Krakor districts, two disputes between 5,000 families and Pheapimex, and in Veal Veng district, Thmar Da commune, a dispute between 57 families and the MDS company; in the city of Phnom Penh, Boeung Kak Lake community, a dispute between 3,000-4,000 families and Shukaku Inc.; and in Battambang province, Phnom Prek district, Sampov Loun commune, a dispute between 1,203 families and the Soun Mean Sambath company. These cases include but are not limited to the following: in Ratanakiri province, Oyada district, Pate commune, Kong Yuk village, a dispute between 46 families of the Charay indigenous community and the wife of a Government official; in Siem Reap province, Chikreng district, Kampong Kdei village, a dispute between 250 families and an individual business owner; in Kandal province, Kean Svay district, Samrong commune, a dispute between 149 families and the deputy governor of Kratie province; in Kampong Chhnang province, Kampong Tralach district, Taches commune, Lorpeang village, a dispute between 64 families and the KDC International Company; in Kampong Speu province, Oudong district, Damnang Raing and Phnom Touch villages (border of Kandal), a dispute between 88 families and the Meng Keth Company; in Battambang province, Battambang town, a dispute between 55 families and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Railway Rehabilitation Project, in Prek Preah Sdach village, a dispute between 1,000 families and provincial authorities (garden project), in Bovil district, Ovoipreng village, a dispute between 38 families and an individual business owner, in Samlot district, Kampong Lpov commune, a dispute between 78 families and a military operation in region 5, and in Kos Krolor district, Daun Bar and Preah Phos communes (three cases), a dispute between 550 families and multiple military personnel; in Banteay Meanchey province, Poipet town, a dispute between 943 families and the ADB Railway Rehabilitation Project; in Phnom Penh city, Borei Keila community, a dispute between 1,776 families and the Phan Imex Company, and in Sen Sok district (formerly Russei Keo district), a dispute between three families and an individual business owner. 11