A/HRC/27/42 resourced and consequently often lack the capacity to investigate and prosecute those responsible for many of the reported cases of human rights violations. More fundamentally, the lack of independence of the military justice system from the military hierarchy is a major concern. Fighting impunity for human rights violations requires coordinated and determined efforts by the executive branch, law enforcement bodies and judicial authorities. B. Recommendations 58. The High Commissioner recommends that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: (a) Address past human rights violations, including through the prompt adoption of the law on the specialized chambers consistent with international standards and, following broad consultations; (b) Speed up the reform of the security sector, including the establishment of a reliable vetting mechanism, so that perpetrators of human rights violations are not maintained within or integrated into the security forces; (c) Ensure that the future national human rights commission is operational through the prompt appointment of its members and appropriate financial and logistical capacity support for its effective functioning, in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles); (d) Ensure the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and accordingly, and with the assistance of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture established in the context of the Protocol, create a national mechanism to prevent torture; (e) Enact an appropriate legal framework for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers and the strengthening/and or creation of protection mechanisms; (f) Ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly be respected so as to create a safe and conducive environment for the legitimate and peaceful activities of civil society; (g) Devise a national action plan for the implementation of recommendations of the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the universal periodic review and treaty bodies; (h) Extend a standing invitation to all thematic special procedures mandate holders, and provide detailed responses to their communications. 59. In view of the above recommendations, the Human Rights Council should continue to be seized of the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 17

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