A/HRC/33/36 and that members of political parties, journalists and human rights defenders are able to carry out their activities freely, in conformity with international standards.2 At the thirtyfirst session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and other rapporteurs regretted the lack of cooperation by the authorities, which had responded to only one of their communications. 1. Current situation and action taken by the Government 7. During the reporting period, State actors were responsible for a great many violations of fundamental freedoms. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office documented 553 human rights violations related to the restriction of democratic activities nationwide between June 2015 and May 2016, mainly in provinces where opposition parties and civil society actors are particularly active, and in the towns of Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kalemie, Bukavu and Goma. 8. The most frequently documented violations concerned the right to liberty and security of the person and the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and opinion. The victims were mainly members of opposition political parties (402 victims) and representatives of civil society (200 victims). Those who are alleged to have committed the violations recorded are mainly members of PNC and of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR). 9. In the pre-electoral context,3 restrictions on civil liberties, threats and intimidation against members of political parties and civil society and journalists, arbitrary arrests and detentions and executive interference in the administration of justice are particularly worrying developments. This trend, steadily increasing since January 2015, is likely to affect the credibility of the electoral process, particularly as, to the knowledge of the Office, only one agent of the State has been investigated or prosecuted for acts constituting such violations. 10. On 14 December 2015, Parliament adopted a law establishing modalities for ensuring the freedom to demonstrate, subject to prior notice, in accordance with the Constitution and international law. However, the Office of the President has returned the text to Parliament for review. 11. Since then, general prohibitions on demonstrations were enacted by local authorities, for example in Kalemie, Lubumbashi and Bandundu, in violation of the principles of necessity and proportionality. The Office has observed that different principles are applied by the local authorities and security forces, depending on the political affiliation of the organizers. In fact, demonstrations by the opposition and civil society are in most cases prohibited, while those of the presidential majority are generally permitted. 12. By way of example, at least 12 events planned by opposition groups and civil society in several cities throughout the country on 26 May 2016 have been banned by the administrative authorities concerned, although prior notice of these events was given. Their purpose was to call for the organization of elections within the constitutional time frame and to condemn recurrent massacres in Beni, North Kivu province. They followed a ruling by the Constitutional Court on 11 May 2016, interpreted by many as authorizing the current President to remain in power beyond the end of his term, until a new President may take office. 2 3 GE.16-13984 A/HRC/27/5, para. 134.134. According to the Constitution, presidential and legislative election must be held before the end of 2016. 5