A/HRC/16/27 continues to be responsible for a significant number of human rights violations in the country, such a measure is essential to guarantee a sustainable peace and stability. I understand the difficulties the Government faces in this respect and welcome its commitment during the universal periodic review to set up such a mechanism.41 I invite the members of the international community involved in the security reform to support the Congolese Government in its efforts to integrate human rights principles in this reform. Actions taken by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office 67. The Joint Human Rights Office pays particular attention to allegations of human rights abuses by Congolese security forces. An investigation is launched and followed up with the Congolese authorities whenever there is reason to believe that a member of the security forces has been involved in a violation of human rights. 68. As regards Operation Amani Leo, the Joint Human Rights Office continues to vet officers to exclude from operations anyone against whom there is evidence of involvement in serious human rights violations. 69. Funding has been raised from the Government of the United States of America to pay for 10 internationally recruited human rights experts to bolster the joint protection teams deployed in the east of the country. These teams were established by MONUSCO at the end of 2008 to improve the protection and information mechanisms that liaise between the force and local communities. Obstacles to the implementation of existing recommendations 70. The shortcomings identified in my previous report (A/HRC/13/64, para. 48) persist. Policies of zero tolerance for human rights violations committed by the security forces and forces receiving conditional support continue to come up against protective military superiors and ill-disciplined troops. In the absence of background checks on anyone wanting to join FARDC and measures to modernize the payment of soldiers’ wages and enforce discipline, initiatives by the Government and its partners to prevent human rights violations are bound to end in failure. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 71. Since the publication of my previous report, and despite the efforts of the Congolese Government and support of the international community, little observable progress has been made in implementing the recommendations addressed to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures and human rights treaty bodies. There are still, it must be said, numerous obstacles to their implementation which preclude any significant improvement in the human rights situation. A. Recommendation to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the international community 72. I welcome the fact that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has taken on board some of the recommendations addressed to it by 41 18 Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to remain fully committed to protecting the population through the establishment of professional and sustainable security forces” (para. 5). A/HRC/13/8, para. 94, recommendation 44. GE.11-10197

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