A/HRC/13/8 27. Put in place concrete policies to ensure that human rights defenders can conduct their work freely without any hindrance; in this regard one of the concrete steps to be taken is the establishment of a legal framework for the protection of human rights defenders. (Netherlands); 28. During the consultation on human rights defenders referred to by the Minister of Human Rights, invite the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders to help establish laws and structures which will be in accordance with the realities of the country. (Ireland). 97. The following recommendations did not enjoy the support of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: 1. Grant to the Joint United Nations Human Rights Office and other independent mechanisms free access to places of detention of the National Intelligence Agency and the National Guard and any other detention centre that is still inaccessible to external observers. (France); 2. Pursue the implementation of the peace accords with a view to stabilizing and pacifying the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and create suitable conditions to ensure and promote respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of the civilian population. (Canada); 3. Grant United Nations special rapporteurs regular access to detention facilities run by the National Intelligence Agency and the Republican Guard, and adopt a viable action plan to better address the urgent need for comprehensive penal system reform. (United States); 4. Significantly increase its commitment to fight impunity, specifically that it (a) suspend, investigate and prosecute as appropriate FARDC soldiers who have been identified as perpetrators of serious human rights abuses or crimes, including the FARDC’s 213th Brigade, as well as the five members of the FARDC who were credibly accused of serious human rights abuses by MONUC and United Nations Security Council over the past year; and (b) establish an effective screening mechanism to vet the past human rights records of officers, particularly for important posts in the military. (United States); 5. Proceed to arrest and transfer to the Hague Mr. Bosco Ntaganda, who is subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court. (Italy); 6. Meet the commitment it has undertaken to cooperate with the International Criminal Court on cases that the Democratic Republic of the Congo government has self-referred to the Court and uphold its treaty obligations by arresting Bosco Ntaganda and transferring him to the International Criminal Court. (United States); 7. Put a vetting process in place in the Congolese security forces, based on the past record of its members, with the aim of preventing the recruitment of individuals who have committed human rights violations. (Canada); 8. Establish an independent mechanism in order to identify and take measures against members of the security forces who are responsible for serious human rights violations. (Ireland); 9. Bring to account individuals and groups who use inflammatory rhetoric. (Australia); 22 GE.10-10154