A/HRC/35/27 B. Cooperation with regional and international organizations 7. The former Special Rapporteur continued his engagement with the African Union to promote ratification and implementation of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). He urged African States that had not yet done so to ratify the Kampala Convention. He emphasized that it was of utmost importance to move to an operational phase, supported by a conference of States parties as required under the Convention, which should adopt a road map for reporting by States and for monitoring implementation. The first Conference of States Parties subsequently took place from 3 to 5 April, in Harare (see para. 43 below). The former Special Rapporteur also debriefed the Council of Europe on his missions to Ukraine, Serbia and Kosovo,1 and Georgia, in September 2016. C. Visits conducted under the mandate Burundi 8. The former Special Rapporteur undertook a working visit to Burundi from 18 to 20 April 2016. He called for the current situation of internally displaced persons to be addressed as a humanitarian issue, and to be delinked from politics, and particularly stressed the importance of ensuring the population’s safety, security and freedom of movement. He noted the need to strengthen the humanitarian response to the internal displacement that was occurring due to the ongoing crisis, in order to ensure adequate protection and assistance for internally displaced persons, especially women, children and the elderly. This would also provide an opportunity for addressing the remaining humanitarian needs of persons in protracted internal displacement, notably concerning shelter and access to health care. He stressed the need to apply durable solution approaches for internally displaced persons from the outset of the displacement crisis through protection and assistance response, while increasing efforts towards improving living conditions and promoting durable solutions for persons internally displaced for a protracted period of time as a result of conflict and disasters. 9. He emphasized that the primary responsibility for providing protection and assistance to internally displaced persons lay with the Government, and he therefore encouraged the authorities to adopt the Kampala Convention and establish a legal framework on internal displacement. Democratic Republic of the Congo 10. The former Special Rapporteur undertook a working visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 21 to 26 April 2016. In light of the decision taken by the provincial government to progressively close all internally displaced persons’ camps in North Kivu, the main objective was to promote the orderly conduct of the camp closures, with full respect for international standards including the Kampala Convention, and with a strategic approach aimed at achieving durable solutions. He expressed deep concern at the persistently high levels of violence and of human rights violations, and condemned the targeted attacks against civilians, including internally displaced persons, the widespread sexual violence, the recruitment and use of children by parties to the conflict, and the forced displacement of thousands. He emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable. Internally displaced persons live in dire conditions, with little access to drinking water or health care, and with food insecurity, and children lack access to education. 11. He recommended to the Government to continue working towards the adoption of a law on internal displacement, and a policy and plan of action for its implementation, with the support of the international community. He also encouraged the authorities to 1 4 All references to Kosovo in the present document should be understood to be in compliance with Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).