A/HRC/8/6 page 9 the displaced persons and returnees, but also with humanitarian workers, in order to improve the humanitarian response and reduce the feeling of insecurity. The Representative is particularly concerned that the recent returns which have taken place in the east of the country may not be sustained because the displaced persons did not always have freedom of choice, were not consulted and did not participate in organizing the returns, and because of possible cases of coercion on the part of military personnel present in the camps and threats that assistance would be discontinued. 30. The Representative acknowledges the efforts made by the Government to assist the displaced persons, and the authorities’ readiness to recognize the difficulties related to internal displacement and the need to find durable solutions to the situation faced by those who have been displaced for many years. Aware that fighting continues in the north of the country, the Representative calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and in particular to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance and the safe passage of civilians. He encourages the Government to draw up a comprehensive policy covering all the aspects of internal displacement, in keeping with the Guiding Principles, clearly identify the institutional responsibilities it bears and ensure that the rights of displaced persons are protected. The Representative offers the authorities his support in any efforts made in these areas. Democratic Republic of the Congo 31. The Representative carried out an official mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 12 to 22 February 2008. The report on this mission is being submitted to this Council session (A/HRC/8/6/Add.4). 32. Following his visit, the Representative considers that the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a situation involving a serious protection crisis and a serious humanitarian crisis, highlighted inter alia by the very large numbers of displaced persons, mainly owing to the presence of foreign and Congolese militias and the intensification of clashes and acts of violence. The Representative notes with satisfaction that in other parts of the country, for example in Katanga, almost 1 million people have been able to return home as a result of the improved security in many areas. 33. In most cases, people have been forced to leave their homes owing to clashes between the Congolese armed forces and the various armed groups which are present in the east of the country, or following clashes between different armed groups. But widespread insecurity and violence, including killing, systematic rape and forcible recruitment of children and young people, which are prevalent in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, as a result of the violations of human rights committed against civilians by the armed groups and members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), have also forced many Congolese to move. Lastly, and to a lesser extent, population displacements have also been due to the natural disasters affecting various regions of the country, such as the recent earthquakes in the region of Bukavu. 34. The Representative observed during his visits to the field that displaced persons are living in absolute poverty, and sometimes suffer from considerable food insecurity. A large number of them have lost the voters’ cards which serve as identity cards in the Democratic Republic of the