67 Measures to protect land rights defenders Protection mechanisms Cambodia has ratified six out of the nine international human rights treaties, one of the best ratification records in South-east Asia. However, this record does not reflect the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) on the ground. In recent years, Cambodian government has increased its policy of repression of HRDs. The authorities use legislation and the judicial system, and the threats of arrest or legal action, to restrict free speech, jail government critics, disperse workers, trade union representatives and farmers engaging in peaceful assemblies (Front Line Defenders, 2018). HRDs who work to promote and protect economic, social, and cultural rights are particularly targeted by the authorities. Trade union leaders have been subjected to arrest, physical violence, and judicial harassment. Community activists defending the right to housing and protesting against land grabs and forced evictions have faced fabricated charges and jail terms. Most of them are charged with offences such as damage to private property, incitement, robbery, assault and drug smuggling. Physical violence, including killing, is also used to silence HRDs. According to ADHOC, 232 people – including land activists, community representatives and those resisting forced eviction – were arrested in 2012 in relation to land and housing issues. This is a 144 percent increase over 2011, when 95 people were arrested and 48 were detained. HRDs have repeatedly found themselves threatened and intimidated by the authorities, often at the bequest of well-connected business figures. In 2012, 238 HRDs faced judicial harassment. Those threatened have not had any protection offered from the authorities. Rather, threats and intimidation have come from officials, including local, provincial and judicial authorities. The Law on Association and NGOs, which was signed by the Council of Ministers in 2016 without proper consultation with civil society and taking recommendations from CSO inputs, is expected to further tighten restrictions Cambodia Land Conflict Monitoring Report NARLD. There are a number of shortcomings associated in lodging a complaint with the NARLD. Complainants must file a written complaint in person at the NARLD office in Phnom Penh. Such a requirement has made access to this dispute resolution mechanism difficult in comparison to local authorities, Cadastral Commissions and the Courts. While the complaint is not required to be in any specific form, it must be submitted along with supporting documents, such as ID cards and family books.