A/HRC/S-8/2 page 3 I. Resolution adopted by the Council at its eighth special session S-8/1. Situation of human rights in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Human Rights Council, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and 61/296 of 17 September 2007, Reiterating its resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007 and 7/20 of 27 March 2008, Reiterating also the principles and objectives of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, Recalling the decision of the tenth Assembly of the African Union on the peace and security situation in Africa, Recalling also the provisions of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, Recalling further African efforts to address the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including (a) the Goma act of engagement, signed by the parties to the peace process in the region of Kivu within the framework of the Conference on Peace, Security and Development for the Provinces of North and South Kivu, held in Goma from 6 to 23 January 2008; (b) the Great Lakes Region summit of 7 November 2008 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; (c) the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern Africa Development Community, held on 9 November 2008; and (d) the summit of Heads of State of members of the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea, held on 25 November 2008, 1. Expresses its serious concern at the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in North Kivu since the resumption of hostilities on 28 August 2008, and calls upon all concerned parties to comply fully with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law, to ensure the protection of the civilian population and to facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies; 2. Calls for the immediate end to all human rights violations and the unconditional respect for the rights of civilians; 3. Expresses concern at the deteriorating situation of refugees and internally displaced persons owing to the escalation of the conflict in Kivu; 4. Urges all parties to allow and facilitate humanitarian assistance and to support the ongoing efforts to establish humanitarian corridors throughout the area so as to allow access and the free movement of people and goods as well as to enable humanitarian agencies to provide badly needed food, water, medication and shelter;