A/HRC/33/36 1. Current situation and action taken by the Government 43. In the eastern part of the country, civilians remain vulnerable to the continued armed conflict between the Congolese army and various armed groups. The parties to the conflict have been responsible for numerous violations committed by armed groups, including at least 328 summary executions, with 674 victims. Armed groups were identified by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office as being responsible for 43 per cent of the violations and human rights abuses committed in the country (1,980 violations) during the period covered by the present report. 44. Gaps in the protection of civilians were particularly evident during two serious events that occurred in Lubero territory, North Kivu, in the context of ethnic conflicts between the Nande communities (supported by the Maï-Maï wing of Nduma Defence of Congo in a coalition with the Union des patriotes pour la défense des innocents) and the Hutu communities (supported by the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda). Between January and February 2016, 22 civilians were killed and 15 people injured in these clashes, which have also led to abductions and the destruction of at least 982 houses in several villages. 45. Moreover, systematic attacks were launched by the Allied Democratic Forces, mainly in Beni territory in North Kivu, but also in Irumu territory in Ituri. During these attacks, at least 82 civilians were killed, 8 injured, and at least 17 abducted. In addition, two health centres and a pharmacy were looted and burned. 46. In both cases, FARDC soldiers also committed serious human rights violations, even though they had been deployed to protect populations and eradicate the armed groups. For example, on 7 January 2016, in the village of Miriki (North Kivu), at least one civilian was killed and three others were wounded by bullets by soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of the 3401st FARDC Regiment during peaceful demonstrations organized by the local population to protest abuses by armed groups. 47. The authorities in North Kivu have adopted interim measures to restrict freedom of movement, including the closure of sites for displaced persons. Although these measures are aimed at improving the security situation after the attacks on civilians in Beni territory, they expose displaced persons to many more risks, including reprisals by local communities or security forces that suspect them of collaborating with the “enemy”. Seven sites for displaced persons, including six in Masisi territory, will be affected by the measures, according to information that is still unconfirmed; they currently house 20 per cent of the displaced persons living in sites in North Kivu.14 2. Action taken by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office 48. The protection of civilians remains a central priority of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office. 15 The mandate of MONUSCO has been extended to violence committed in the context of elections. 16 49. During the reporting period, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office continued its monitoring and investigation activities in the conflict-affected areas. These activities, carried out with other sections of MONUSCO, including its military component, 14 15 16 GE.16-13984 As of 25 March 2016, 223,613 displaced persons were living in 53 sites in North Kivu (Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster). S/RES/2277(2016), para. 29 (a) and 33. S/RES/2277(2016), para. 35 ( i) (a). 11