A/HRC/42/5 55. The bill on the protection of human rights defenders had been passed in its original form in the Senate and was being discussed by the National Assembly. It would be passed and promulgated during the current legislature, as the President of the Republic had promised that he would do everything possible to protect human rights defenders and ensure effective freedom of the press in the country. On 3 May 2019, the day dedicated to press freedom worldwide, the President had stressed that journalists would no longer be arrested for press offences; the bill on the decriminalization of press offences would therefore be submitted to Parliament. 56. With regard to the fight against impunity, the prosecution and conviction of officers of the Congolese National Police and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for serious human rights violations was a step forward, even though several perpetrators of such violations were still at large. The three laws implementing the Rome Statute also reflected the will of the Congolese authorities to punish the perpetrators of crimes against humanity. 57. The establishment by the Congolese Government of various commissions of inquiry over the previous two years to shed light on cases of serious human rights violations and identify those responsible was also part of efforts to combat impunity. The outcome of the investigations launched by the Government could be used by the Congolese judiciary to prosecute persons suspected of serious human rights violations. 58. The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations Office at Geneva noted that the Congolese Government had already carried out a number of reforms, such as the division of the Supreme Court into three judicial bodies, namely the Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation and the Council of State. The establishment of new courts of appeal in the new provinces, the holding of the forum on justice in 2015, which had led to the adoption of a national policy on judicial reform for the period 2017–2026, and the establishment of the National Judicial Training Institute had been important steps towards strengthening the capacity of the judicial system. 59. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the 2018 update of the national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. 60. Czechia welcomed the organization of the December 2018 general elections and the subsequent peaceful transition of power. 61. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its efforts to promote and protect human rights. 62. Denmark welcomed the adoption by the armed forces and the Congolese National Police of an action plan to combat sexual violence. 63. Djibouti commended the strengthening of the normative and institutional framework aimed at improving democracy and the rule of law. 64. Egypt commended the success of the 2018 elections and the efforts to strengthen the human rights legislative and institutional framework, including the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission. 65. Equatorial Guinea commended efforts at national reconciliation and measures taken for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. 66. Eritrea noted the efforts made to overcome the recent challenges posed by the Ebola virus, which had dire consequences for public health. 67. Estonia noted the incorporation of the Rome Statute into national legislation and steps taken to improve legal protection of the rights of women and girls. 68. Ethiopia commended the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the efforts made to enact human rights-related laws and the adoption of the National Strategic Development Plan. 6 GE.19-11384