In theory, the Council is supposed to "undertake a universal periodic review (UPR), based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments..." Instead, the UPR has become a process where the worst violators of human rights are commended and are able to cast themselves as human rights champions.
On April 29, 2014 the human rights situation in the DRC was reviewed by members of the Council and any other UN member wanting to comment.
Wivine Mumba Matipa, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the DRC, delivered a self-congratulatory opening statement. It included the following:
- "My country has provided notable efforts in the framework of the promotion and protection of human rights...The Democratic Republic of the Congo has also taken important initiatives in order to better promote and protect the human rights... This is the place to mention the efforts of the government in the framework of the fight against impunity, which is one of the motivations for the reform of our judicial system...The fight against sexual violence, engaged my country at the highest level... Government is sparing no effort to remedy this tragic situation... The government has facilitated the access, verification, the separation and the protection of children associated with armed forces and groups... Parallel to the protection and the separation of the children of the parties to the conflict, the government has invested in the search for answers to the multiple needs of their rehabilitation."
- Nicaragua: We welcome the fact that ... the DRC has made a lot of efforts to continue to strengthen its system for promoting and protecting human rights.
Palestinian Authority: We note with appreciation the number of organizational acts that have been promulgated since 2009 to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
Sudan: Sudan welcomes the DRC's commitment to promoting the institutional and normative framework for human rights.
Venezuela: National report...clearly reflects the progress in the promoting and protecting human rights.
China: China commends the DRC for its constructive attitude and...country endeavors to eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
Gabon: Gabon congratulates the DRC for its commitment to human rights in particular equality, non-discrimination.
Mauritania: My delegation highly values the eagerness of the government to promote and support UN mechanisms especially the UPR.
- "[I]mpunity for human rights abuses remained a severe problem in the security services. Authorities did not prosecute or punish the majority of abusers...The recruitment and use of children...continued... The judiciary was corrupt and subject to influence... [R]ape was common throughout the country... The SSF [state security force], RMGs, and civilians perpetrated widespread sexual violence... It was common for family members to pressure a rape survivor to remain silent, even in collaboration with health-care professionals, to safeguard the reputations of the survivor and her family... After a sexual assault, many young women and girls were labeled as unsuitable for marriage, and married women were frequently abandoned by their husbands. Some families forced rape survivors to marry the men who raped them or to forego prosecution in exchange for money or goods from the rapist...Child abuse...regularly occurred... There were an estimated 8.2 million orphans and other vulnerable children in the country. Ninety-one percent received no external support of any kind, and only 3 percent received medical support."