A/HRC/24/33 B. Torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment 1. Recommendations 14. Recommendations previously made included that the Government should eliminate impunity for alleged acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (illtreatment) by carrying out prompt, impartial and exhaustive investigations into all reported cases of torture and ill-treatment.10 Those convicted of such acts should receive sentences in accordance with the provisions of the law, and effective reparations should also be granted to victims, including adequate compensation. 11 It was also recommended that the Government should also ensure that all persons reporting cases of torture and ill-treatment are protected from intimidation or reprisals for reporting such cases. 12 2. Action taken by the Government and current situation 15. The widespread use of torture and ill-treatment by defence and security forces in the country remains a major human rights concern. Most cases of torture and ill-treatment registered by the Joint Human Rights Office are perpetrated by members of the PNC, the National Intelligence Agency and FARDC. Certain FARDC members torture civilians considered to be deserters of the army or perceived to be cooperating with armed groups. In such cases, torture is often used to obtain confessions from suspects. Some victims reported having had their hands and feet tied while being beaten with different objects. In one emblematic case, in July 2012, five Rwandan nationals, including three minors, arbitrarily arrested and detained by FARDC soldiers in Goma for their alleged affiliation with M23 were subjected to torture. One boy was beaten so severely that he had to be transported to the military hospital by the soldiers, where he was reported dead on arrival. 16. In a positive development witnessed during the period under review, the Government made progress in the application of the law criminalizing torture. Since the promulgation of the law on 9 July 2011, at least six FARDC soldiers, five PNC agents and one intelligence officer have been convicted for acts of torture to sentences ranging from six months to life imprisonment. In addition, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights conducted workshops and training sessions in different provinces to sensitize various actors, including defence and security forces, judicial authorities and civil society representatives, on the content and application of the anti-torture law. 3. Action taken by the Joint Human Rights Office 17. The Joint Human Rights Office continued to monitor and report on incidents of torture and ill-treatment throughout the country. It also continued to provide support to judicial authorities in the investigation and prosecution of alleged perpetrators of torture, and conducted high-level advocacy with Congolese authorities to encourage them to hold elements of the security forces accountable for acts of torture. In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and civil society partners, the Office also organized awareness-raising activities for various groups on the anti-torture law. In addition, as part of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, on 26 June 2012, the Office organized several outreach activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in Kinshasa and in various provinces. 10 11 12 CAT/C/DRC/CO/1, para. 6 (b). CCPR/C/COD/CO/3, para. 16. CAT/C/DRC/CO/1, para. 13. 7