A/HRC/19/48 exactions and human rights violations against the local population. Moreover, as FARDC soldiers were moving to and from the training centres, they could no longer be identified by victims or witnesses for human rights violations committed by them, which contributed to impunity for human rights violations committed by FARDC soldiers during the reconfiguration operation. Activities of the Joint Human Rights Office 58. With a view to fighting impunity, UNJHRO continues to conduct several types of monitoring activities. Trials, including mobile hearings, are monitored for fair trial standards and the security of victims and witnesses is continuously followed up. In case of conviction, UNJHRO follows up the enforcement of the rulings and assists the Government in this process, inter alia, through improving prison security and offering support in developing reparation mechanisms. 59. UNJHRO is further continuing to assist judicial authorities by providing support for their investigation of alleged human rights violations. For instance, a team was deployed to investigate allegations of rape of nine women, and torture, cruel and degrading treatment of 17 other civilians, reportedly all committed by FARDC soldiers in Kikozi (45 km south west of Uvira), South Kivu, during the night of 26 to 27 March 2011. The rule of law section of MONUSCO is furthermore establishing prosecution support cells to advise the military prosecutor’s offices in prosecuting alleged perpetrators of serious violations of human rights law. With support for the deployment of 12 mobile courts between January and July 2011, military courts and tribunals handled 118 cases on sexual violence and other serious human rights violations. 60. In compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces, UNJHRO continued to screen FARDC battalion commanders for past human rights violations before any logistical and other support can be provided in the framework of jointly planned military operations. Since the beginning of 2011, MONUSCO has suspended support to three FARDC units as corrective action had not been taken by FARDC to redress the human rights violations allegedly committed by them. UNJHRO has also played an important role in the development and implementation of modes of intervention to meet protection challenges, such as the support provided, through funding from the Government of the United States of America, in the deployment of international staff to reinforce joint protection teams in the eastern part of the country. Obstacles 61. The difficulties mentioned in the previous reports of the High Commissioner regarding the issue of impunity for security forces remain topical. Another important factor for the continued human rights abuses is the absence of background checks for new recruits, such as former combatants of armed groups, and the lack of an established vetting mechanism. Moreover, as long as discipline is not imposed by commanders, impunity will continue to prevail despite initiatives taken by the Government and its international partners. Furthermore, as long as FARDC soldiers are not paid regularly and sufficiently, they will be prone to engage in pillaging and forced labour. II. Conclusions and recommendations 62. Over the course of the reporting period, despite some important measures taken by the government, little improvement in the human rights situation on the ground was observed. The population remains subject to grave human rights 18