A/HRC/42/5 8. The adoption and promulgation of Act No. 15/013 of 1 August 2015 on means of giving effect to women’s rights and gender parity had also been a major step forward. Articles 4, 5, 6 and 33 of the Act guaranteed women’s participation in political life. 9. The establishment of various commissions of inquiry into cases of serious human rights violations, the reform of the justice system, the conviction of several perpetrators of sexual violence, including from within the Congolese National Police and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and measures to combat trafficking in persons were highlighted as examples of significant progress. 10. The Minister also noted some difficulties and obstacles encountered in the implementation of the recommendations adopted during the second cycle of the universal periodic review, which included the resurgence of armed groups in the far east of the country, the terror sown and maintained for several months by the Kamuina Nsapu group in Kasai, the intercommunity conflict in Tanganyika Province between Pygmies and Bantus, the spread of Ebola virus disease in the north of the country and the turmoil linked to the electoral process in some provinces, which had destabilized the country over the previous four years. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 11. During the interactive dialogue, 99 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 12. Slovenia noted progress on birth registration, free primary school education and access to health-care services. It urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to uphold the highest standards in human rights. 13. South Africa welcomed the successful transition to the new administration, the operationalization of the National Human Rights Commission, the State’s cooperation with the treaty bodies and measures taken to protect children and combat human trafficking. 14. Spain welcomed the adoption of the Family Code, legislation to protect women’s rights and the national plan and strategy to protect children’s rights. 15. The Sudan appreciated the fact that all sectors of society had participated in the preparation of the national report, and the adoption of legislation to protect human rights. 16. The Republic of Moldova welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) and encouraged the proper functioning of the Commission. 17. Switzerland, while welcoming the release of political prisoners, expressed concern about persistent impunity, even for grave human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence. 18. Togo welcomed the adoption of the new Criminal Code and the Family Code, the operationalization of the National Human Rights Commission and the establishment of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State. 19. Turkey welcomed the peaceful transition in the wake of the 2018 elections and the State’s efforts to ensure security in the east of the country and to combat corruption. 20. The United Kingdom welcomed recent successes in bringing perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence to justice, but urged the Government to increase efforts to end impunity for human rights violations. 21. The United States welcomed President Tshisekedi’s decision to close illegal detention centres and release prisoners of conscience. The United States urged the country to take measures to combat impunity. 22. Ukraine welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission. It was concerned about the high rate of sexual and gender-based violence and the lack of protection for victims. GE.19-11384 3