A/HRC/42/2 Democratic Republic of the Congo during the review. India appreciated the adoption of acts giving effect to women’s rights and gender parity as well as to guarantee women’s participation in political life. 472. Iraq expressed appreciation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for accepting its recommendations in terms of acceding to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance as well as strengthening the human resources within the judiciary and limiting the outbreak of Ebola. It commended the acceptance of most of the recommendations by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and expressed hope that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will implement the recommendations in line with its international obligations. 473. Libya congratulated the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the adoption of three laws related to the implementation of the Rome Statutes of the International Criminal Court, establishment of various commissions of inquiry on cases of gross violations of human rights, and reforms of the judiciary. It recommended the adoption of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 474. Malawi commended the peaceful transition of power after the December 2018 general elections and the strides made in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country since the review. It noted efforts to eradicate poverty, increase employment, improve social security, combat gender based violence, address climate change issues and protect vulnerable groups. It called upon the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue its efforts to end the insurgence and human rights violations, especially in the Goma area, and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It expressed its commitment to continue providing support through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 4. General comments made by other stakeholders 475. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 10 other stakeholders made statements. 476. The International Catholic Child Bureau noted the high number of noted recommendations, including the one on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, and called for operationalizing the National Council for Children. 477. Lawyers for Lawyers urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure lawyers’ safety and ability to work without improper interference, to guarantee the independence of the Congolese bar associations, and to refrain from any actions frustrating lawyers’ freedom of expression. 478. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom noted an urgent need to raise public awareness to end the normalisation of domestic violence, urged the Government to achieve at least 30 per cent representation of women in government, and underscored inclusion of the gender dimension in addressing child labour in mines. 479. Minority Rights Group noted that the Batwa community continued to face discrimination in their access to education and health care, with a high rate of malnutrition, disease and mortality, and called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to adopt the 2015 draft bill to protect the rights of pygmy indigenous peoples. 480. The Right Livelihood Award Foundation, in a joint statement co-sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation, remained concerned at the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and regretted that impunity remained the norm. It called for the establishment of an international criminal court or mixed specialized chambers, a Truth Commission, and the provision of effective reparations to survivors. 77