A/HRC/31/48 capacity-building sessions for the members of the Institution on the institution ’s role in promoting and protecting human rights and on the monitoring of human rights during elections. 81. Lastly, the High Communications Authority 11 was set up in March 2015, replacing the National Communications Council. This institution has 11 members , appointed for a single, five-year mandate. Its mission is to protect the right to information. It also has a support and mediation role with a view to preventing undue control of the media by the Government and any manipulation of public opinion via the media. It is responsible for ensuring freedom and protection of the press and all mass media in keeping with the law. In addition, it ensures that the related ethical considerations are observed and that political parties, associations and the public have equal access to official information and the media. 12 The president of the Authority was nominated by the President then elected by her peers in March 2015. 82. The establishment of these institutions is a significant step forward in the strengthening of the rule of law. However, sufficient financial and logistical resources 13 must be allocated in order to ensure that they operate smoothly and independently. 3. Establishment of a committee to monitor human rights violations 83. In December 2014, the country office set up a committee to monitor cases of human rights violations; the committee is composed of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the gendarmerie high command and the Military Justice Dire ctorate, as well as nongovernmental organizations working in the areas of women’s rights, children, detention conditions and legal aid. The committee meets monthly, under the auspices of the country office, to discuss the human rights situation, in partic ular the alleged violations brought to the attention of or observed by the country office in the preceding month. The committee then submits recommendations to the representative of the ministry or ministries concerned. The committee has issued early warni ngs and, in some cases, has helped put an end to the violations. D. Support for civil society organizations 84. The country office continued its collaboration with human rights organizations and provided them with technical assistance. It held regular meetings with civil society organizations to discuss the human rights situation and share information regarding the activities and good practices of the various organizations. In April 2015, it trained members of women’s rights organizations in the incorporation of a gender perspective in the transitional justice process. In October 2015, in partnership with the Guinean Organization for the Defence of Human Rights and the International Federation for Human Rights, the country office trained human rights observers in techniques for monitoring human rights and documenting violations during elections. __________________ 11 12 13 14/15 As provided for under Act No. L 2010/003/CNT of 22 June 2010 on the powers, organization, membership and functioning of the High Communications Authority. See article 4 of the aforementioned law. For example, the Independent National Human Rights Institution does not have official headquarters and its offices are temporarily located at the Palais du Peuple. GE.16-00828