E/C.12/KHM/CO/1 page 3 (g) The establishment of the National Action Plan for 2008-2012 on the Elimination of Serious Forms of Child Labour. 9. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of measures aimed at promoting the enjoyment by women of their economic, social and cultural rights, including: (a) The adoption of Guidelines issued by the State Secretariat of Civil Service 2008, instructing all government agencies to apply temporary special measures targeting between 20 to 50 per cent for women among all new recruits; (b) The establishment of the National Policy and Sector Policy on Gender Issues, as well as the Ministry of Women’s annual strategic plan Neary Ratanak II (“Women are the Precious Gem Stone”); (c) The establishment of the National Council for Women in February 2001; (d) The adoption of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence Protection of Victims, in 2005; (e) The entry into force in August 2007 of the new Code of Penal Procedure; (f) The 2008-2012 Strategic Plan on Women and AIDS of the Ministry of Health aimed at educating and disseminating information on health issues affecting women, and in particular, reproductive health. 10. The Committee welcomes the ratification, by the State party of: (a) The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Punishment, in 2007; (b) The Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflict, in 2000. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 11. The Committee notes the State party’s emergence from the isolation and devastation brought about by more than two decades of war, has been a slow and difficult process. The Committee notes, in particular, that the tragic extermination of a large number of the population, including qualified professionals in the economic, social and cultural field, has left the State party bereft of the expertise necessary for the recovery of the country at a more satisfactory pace. D. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations 12. The Committee regrets that, despite the constitutional guarantees, it has not been established that Covenant provisions can in practice be invoked before or directly enforced by the State party’s national courts, tribunals or administrative authorities. In this regard, the