E/CN.4/1997/7/Add.3 page 24 extent that resources are a key element of the problems, the political will needs to be mustered to accord real budgetary priority to reform. The Special Rapporteur is aware that there prevails a climate of general insecurity and fear of crime that has led to a pronounced lack of sympathy for those deprived of liberty and a corresponding, albeit counter-productive, demand for repression. This climate - amounting to a virtual social psychosis - is aggravated by the stringent economic pressures felt by ordinary people as a result of macroeconomic structural readjustment measures. These same measures also make it harder for the Government to divert resources from other purposes to the reform of the criminal justice system. One practical piece of evidence of the existence of some political will to avoid impunity for the most outrageous excesses is the assurances given to the Special Rapporteur that the criminal proceedings against those charged with the events in Cararabo will be pursued to their full extent. Nevertheless, this would appear to be a rare exception to the generally prevailing rule of impunity. 84. The Special Rapporteur would like to underline the general sense of openness to the international community which virtually all his interlocutors evidenced. This openness was reflected not only in the reception and welcome accorded to the delegation, but also in a desire for moral support for needed reforms, new ideas, and technical and financial assistance in planning and executing reforms. He noted with appreciation a World Bank project, coordinated by the local UNDP office, to enhance the judicial infrastructure, as well as European Community projects to improve educational and training facilities in prisons. The cooperation with competent local non-governmental organizations in such matters also appeared highly positive. The Special Rapporteur also took note of the establishment, by Decree of 24 January 1996 (published in the Official Gazette on 13 September 1996) of an advisory organ to the Executive on human rights issues called the National Commission on Human Rights. This will be composed by representatives of different ministries, as well as the Office of the Attorney-General (Procuraduría General de la República ), the Government of the Metropolitan District ( Gobernación del Distrito Federal ) and the National Council of Frontiers ( Consejo Nacional de Fronteras ). 85. In the light of the foregoing conclusions, the Government of Venezuela is respectfully urged to give serious consideration to the following recommendations: (a) The period of time in which detained persons are to be brought before a judge should be reduced from eight to no more than four days; (b) Effective access of all persons deprived of liberty to independent legal advice should be vouchsafed within 24 hours of initial detention. Such access should be exercised in accordance with principle 18 of the United Nations Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988), which sets forth the following: "2. A detained or imprisoned person shall be allowed adequate time and facilities for consultation with his legal counsel.