A/RES/53/160 Page 2 Having considered the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,6 and taking note of the report of the Investigative Team of the Secretary-General charged with investigating serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,7 1. Expresses its deep concern at the impact of the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the situation of human rights in that country and its adverse effects on the civilian population; 2. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;6 3. Expresses its concern at the deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aggravated by the ongoing conflict in the country and the continuing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular cases of summary and arbitrary execution, disappearances, torture, beatings, arbitrary arrest and detention without trial, sexual violence against women and children and the use of child soldiers; 4. Urges all parties to the conflict to take the necessary measures to prevent all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by forces under their command and to abstain from inciting ethnic hatred and from persecuting civilians on the grounds of nationality or ethnicity; 5. Supports all regional efforts aiming at a peaceful settlement of the conflict; 6. Calls upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with its obligations under international human rights instruments to which the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a party and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; 7. Stresses the need for the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assist and protect the civilian population, including refugees and internally displaced persons within the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; 8. Encourages the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross unhindered access to all persons detained within the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and calls upon other parties to allow access also; 9. Stresses the need to lift restrictions on the work of non-governmental organizations and to ensure respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression and for the right to freedom of association; 10. Recalls and welcomes the expressed commitment of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to a process of democratization, leading, through the establishment of democratic institutions and the holding of elections, to the creation of a State based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, including representative and accountable government, and calls upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to create conditions that would allow for a democratization process that is genuine and inclusive and fully reflects the aspirations of the people of the country; 6 E/CN.4/1998/65 and Corr.1. 7 Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-third Year, Supplement for April, May and June 1998, document S/1998/581, annex. /...