A/HRC/27/42 53. On 15 May 2014, UNJHRO jointly with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and two international NGOs, organized a workshop on follow-up to universal periodic review recommendations. In total, 165 persons participated in the event, including Members of Parliament and representatives of the Interministerial Committee on Human Rights, representatives of the diplomatic corps and different ministries, lawyers, journalists and human rights activists. B. Review of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 54. In July 2013, the Government presented its combined sixth and seventh periodic reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The Committee noted some progress in the area of women’s rights, including the adoption of the National Strategy against gender-based violence and the promulgation of the law to establish the National Human Rights Commission.26 However, the Committee raised several concerns, including the shocking levels and nature of violence and sexual atrocities against women, and the lack of a proper vetting process to remove persons suspected of perpetrating serious human rights violations from official positions in the security forces. The Committee raised concerns over high levels of violence and discrimination against women in the entire country, including harmful practices and discriminatory legislation. It recommended that the Government prioritize the fight against impunity for sexual violence and ensure access to justice for all women affected by sexual violence during the conflict.27 The Committee also requested the submission of information, within two years, on the implementation of recommendations to prevent and address sexual violence, to ensure access to justice, and to eliminate discriminatory provisions in the Family Code. VIII. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 55. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a critical juncture on the long journey to improve the human rights situation of people living on its territory. Visible gains have been achieved in enhancing security and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a positive impact on the human rights situation in some cases. Increased prosecutions of State agents for human rights violations also constitute an important momentum towards justice. 56. Despite some progress, efforts to protect human rights remain hampered by several overarching challenges. One of the main challenges remains the prevalence of impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations, especially high-level FARDC soldiers and leaders of armed groups. 57. Persisting impunity is itself partly due to another major structural challenge, which is the weakness of the justice system, and a general lack of effective accountability mechanisms. The justice system is undermined by deficiencies in conducting investigations, prosecuting perpetrators of human rights violations, and ensuring that prison terms are served. Military tribunals continue to be under26 27 16 Concluding observations on the combined sixth and seventh periodic reports of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CEDAW/C/COD/CO/6–7 of 30 July 2013), paras. 5 (c) and 6 (d). Ibid., para. 10 (b)–(c).