A/HRC/42/32 several levels of the defence forces and security services, calling for restraint and respect for human rights in law enforcement operations. 22. The Joint Office has continued to provide technical and financial support to the National Human Rights Commission, parliament and civil society in order to promote conformity with international instruments in various bills under consideration that are related to the exercise of fundamental freedoms. 23. Between June 2018 and May 2019, throughout the country the Joint Office organized or supported 54 training events on human rights issues relating to the electoral process that were attended by 4,426 people (2,887 men and 1,539 women), including representatives of civil society, the political and administrative authorities, police officers, journalists and political stakeholders. 24. The Joint Office also provided legal support and multifaceted assistance in the area of protection, and dealt with 262 cases of threats and human rights violations against 537 individuals (of whom 46 were women), including 409 human rights defenders, 54 journalists, 66 other victims and 8 witnesses of violations – an increase of 44 per cent relative to the previous reporting period. B. Protection of civilians in conflict areas 25. In its concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Human Rights Committee urged the Government to take measures to protect civilians in areas of armed conflict and internally displaced persons (CCPR/C/COD/CO/4, para. 26). It also called on the Government to cooperate fully with all United Nations entities in dealing with allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Kasai region (para. 28). 26. During the universal periodic review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 29 April 2014, it was recommended that the Government should take concrete steps to eliminate all negative forces operating in the eastern part of the country (A/HRC/27/5, para. 134.39). 27. In its concluding observations on the combined third to fifth periodic reports of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Committee on the Rights of the Child urged the Government to take measures to protect children from falling victim to armed conflict and/or participating in armed hostilities and to punish those involved in killing, maiming and recruiting children (CRC/C/COD/CO/3-5, para. 18). 1. Current situation and action taken by the Government 28. Most of the violations documented in the country (80 per cent) during the reporting period were committed in conflict areas. State agents and armed group fighters are equally responsible for the violations and abuses documented. Overall, the number of violations and abuses is similar to that recorded during the previous reporting period, during which there was a geographical spread of the conflict and an increase in the activities of armed groups and their repression by the Congolese authorities. 29. Since early 2019, in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema and Tanganyika, and in the Kasai region, many members of armed groups and militias have surrendered or expressed a desire to lay down their arms. This spontaneous demobilization movement could lead to a reduction in the activity of armed groups, but it has not led to a decrease in human rights violations. 30. North Kivu remains the province most affected by the conflict, accounting for nearly half of the violations and abuses documented in provinces where the conflict persists. Armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and the Nyatura and Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové groups were responsible for 66 per cent of the violations documented in this province, although members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo were the main perpetrators among all parties to the conflict, responsible for more than 20 per cent of cases. The most affected territory is Beni, where 6 GE.19-13875