A/HRC/12/41 page 4 5. While this approach has translated into fruitful partnerships with several government institutions, including the Ministries of Interior, Justice and Social Affairs, the Phnom Penh Municipality, and the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, other institutions have shown little or no interest in dialogue and cooperation, much to the regret of OHCHR. 6. During the same period, OHCHR also developed its cooperation with community-based organizations, non-governmental and other civil society actors, as well as with the United Nations country team, and multilateral and bilateral development cooperation agencies. 7. This report gives an overview of the activities undertaken by OHCHR to support the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights. II. ACTIVITIES A. Support to correctional reform 8. Discussions with the General Department of Prisons (GDP) of the Ministry of Interior resulted in the development and launch in 2008 of the joint Prison Reform Support Programme. It aims to improve prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners, to strengthen prison management and reinforce the link between prisons and the rest of the criminal justice system. The Programme supports the GDP reform to transform the system from a security-centred incarceration system into a civilian one geared towards the rehabilitation of prisoners. 9. OHCHR prepared a draft cooperation framework document, outlining the areas of cooperation, the approach and methodology, as well as the respective commitments of the Ministry of Interior and OHCHR, which was submitted to the Government in November 2008. It provides for four specific areas of support jointly identified with the GDP, namely: (a) support for the drafting of the new law on the management of prisons consistent with international standards; (b) support for the professional training of prison personnel; (c) assessment of conditions of detention and treatment of prisoners through a comprehensive programme of prison visits, with confidential reporting to the prison authorities; and (d) assistance to ensure a regular supply of potable water to prisoners and improved sanitation. 10. From August 2008, OHCHR conducted seven visits to provincial prisons in Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Pursat and Banteay Meanchey, and to Correctional Centre No. 1, which then accommodated a total of 5,940 prisoners - around 50 per cent of the total prison population countrywide. These visits were conducted in line with standard prison visit methodology, including confidential interviews with prisoners and staff. 11. Confidential reports were submitted after each visit to the Director of each prison visited, to the Director of the GDP and to the Minister of Interior. These reports are aimed at providing to these authorities an independent objective assessment, based on reliable data, of conditions of detention and the treatment of prisoners in each prison, highlighting positive aspects, issues of concern and recommendations for improvement. They are regarded by OHCHR as tools for raising awareness of existing problems, discussion, joint exploration of solutions and cooperation to implement these solutions. At a national conference of all prison chiefs and their deputies organized by the Ministry of Interior in February 2009, the Secretary of State in charge of prisons highlighted the OHCHR reports as useful sources of feedback to help reform the system.