A/HRC/30/32 6. The Government’s expulsion in October 2014 of the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office following the publication of a joint report by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and OHCHR on human rights violations committed by agents of the Congolese national police during Operation Likofi was an alarming development and the High Commissioner urged the Government to investigate continuing acts of intimidation and threats against United Nations human rights staff, and hold those responsible accountable. As the country moves towards an electoral cycle, there are serious concerns about further restrictions to political space and increased human rights violations targeting individuals critical of the Government. A. Fundamental freedoms and protection of human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents 7. The Human Rights Committee recommended that the Government guarantee freedom of speech and of the press and other media, and ensure that any restriction on press and media activities be strictly compatible with article 19 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (see CCPR/C/COD/CO/3, para. 22). During the universal periodic review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009, it was recommended that the Government develop a legal framework to protect and ensure the security of journalists, human rights defenders, members of civil society and the political opposition (see A/HRC/13/8, para. 96 (22–26)). 1. Current situation and action taken by the Government 8. During the reporting period, the Government was responsible for a high number of violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Moreover, there were numerous cases of excessive use of force by security forces that resulted in extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations mainly targeting political opponents, human rights defenders and media workers particularly during demonstrations. In early 2015, political opponents were targeted by security and defence forces, and several demonstrations were violently repressed, including through lethal force. 9. On 17 January 2015, the lower house of Parliament approved a law containing a controversial provision, making the holding of the 2016 presidential and legislative elections conditional upon the conduct of a national census. Many civil society actors interpreted that as an attempt to delay the elections and thereby to allow President Kabila to prolong his tenure. That led to widespread discontent, with large demonstrations organized by members of the opposition and civil society activists around the country in the first quarter of 2015. 10. On 19 January 2015, the Government deployed riot police and FARDC soldiers, including the Republican Guard, to respond to the protests, mainly in Kinshasa and Goma. Disproportionate force was used by national security forces against unarmed civilians. According to information gathered by United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, from 19 to 23 January 2015, at least 20 persons were killed and 75 injured by the police and the Republican Guard. 11. In the context of the demonstrations, over 500 individuals were arrested across the country. Several leaders of the opposition were locked up by the police in their headquarters on 20 January 2015 in Kinshasa, so that they were unable to join the demonstrations. On 21 January, in Lubumbashi, Katanga Province, the police reportedly arrested 13 members of the opposition party, Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social, at the party’s local headquarters. 5