A/HRC/24/33 Despite the above-mentioned efforts, the High Commissioner notes that the situation of human rights had significantly deteriorated since her previous report to the Council (A/HRC/19/48), especially in the eastern part of the country, where the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office Joint Human Rights Office documented an important increase in the number of human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law that could amount to war crimes, committed by national security and defence forces, as well as by foreign and national armed groups. The increase in gross human rights violations during the period under review can be attributed to various armed groups, including Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), and to the security and defence forces, in relation to M23 activities. M23 combatants were indeed responsible for gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including summary executions, rape and child recruitment. Other armed groups, which took advantage of the security vacuum that followed the redeployment of FARDC units to combat M23, since May 2012, were also responsible for gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Such groups have sought to extend their influence and control over areas rich in natural resources in the eastern part of the country, committing attacks against civilians, often on ethnic grounds. In addition, in the context of operations against M23, members of the Congolese defence and security forces allegedly committed gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including mass rape. The presidential and legislative elections held in November 2011were characterized by acts of violence and serious human rights violations, apparently committed mostly by members of the Congolese defence and security forces against opposition party members and supporters. While judicial authorities initiated investigations into some election-related human rights violations, little progress was observed with regard to the prosecution of the alleged perpetrators. In addition, human rights defenders and journalists were threatened, arbitrarily arrested and subjected to other human rights violations during the election period. The judiciary’s lack of independence continued to be observed, in particular when dealing with cases of human rights violations against political opponents and civil society members. The High Commissioner encourages the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to implement all the recommendations made in the present report and reiterates the engagement of her Office in the State to support its efforts to protect and promote human rights. 2