On the 59th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the DRC Ministry for Human Rights and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights organised a commemorative ceremony at the DRC Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa on 10 December 2007.

This commemoration also marked the launching of the public awareness campaign for the following year until 10 December 2008.

In attendance was the Minister for Justice and Human rights, Mutombo Bakafua, the Special representative of the UN General Secretary for the DRC, William Swing, the Director of MONUC's Human Rights Division Fernando Casta-ón, as well as foreign ambassadors and national and international NGO representatives.

It was an occasion for the Minister for Justice in particular to to condemn the violations of the human rights in the DRC, particularly in the east, where sexual violence against women and children unfortunately seems "to be rising".

"Like other human rights violations, it is wretched and contemptible, unjustifiable and unqualifiable in that it wounds very deeply the dignity of the victims," he regretted.

The Minister for Justice, also, reaffirmed the "firm will" of the government to repress the perpetrators of this violence as well in the field of national and international legislation, and handing them over, if necessary, "to the International Criminal Court".

"I assure (the victims) that all will be undertaken to find solutions to their problems," he promised. "Through grace, you do not conceal, because your silence feeds impunity," he added.

In addition, Mr. Bakafua encouraged the preliminary drafting of the law relating to the organisation and functioning of a national public independent commission for the promotion and protection of human rights.

"My burning wish is that the installation of this commission at the sides of the existing structures, brings an added-value to promotion and protection of human rights in our country," he said.

At the end of his speech, the Minister launched a call to all development partners so that they support the efforts of the government within the framework of protection and promotion of human rights, with an aim of consolidating democracy and the rule of law.