(h) Urgently modernize its prison law, particularly by defining the legal status of detainees, explaining the prison disciplinary regime and guaranteeing the right of detainees to institute proceedings and obtain effective remedies against unwarranted disciplinary penalties through an independent and promptly accessible body; (i) Combat prison violence more effectively; (j) Improve the system of access to health care in prisons by recruiting more qualified medical staff; (k) Ensure that the isolation of juvenile delinquents is imposed only in entirely exceptional cases, and for a limited period; (l) Improve the system of prison supervision by ensuring the prompt replacement of the administrative commissions by more effective bodies, as planned, and by considering the possibility of allowing non-governmental organizations to visit prisons regularly and meet detainees; (m) Guarantee the training of prison administrative staff, including medical staff, in the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; (n) Clearly state in national legislation that evidence obtained under torture is automatically inadmissible and must therefore not be submitted for consideration by the court itself. 132. The Committee recommends that the present conclusions and recommendations and the summary records of the meetings at which the State party’s initial report was considered be widely disseminated in the country in the appropriate languages. 133. The Committee recommends that Belgium’s next periodic report contain detailed information on the practical implementation of the Convention and all of the points raised in the present conclusions, in particular detailed information, including statistics, on the functioning and effectiveness of the prison supervision system, prison violence and the effectiveness of the measures taken in that regard. The Committee wishes to receive information on the number and age of juvenile delinquents placed in isolation, the average length of their detention in isolation and the reasons for the penalties imposed on them. REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA 134.The Committee considered the initial report of the Republic of Moldova (CAT/C/32/Add.4) at its 563rd and 565th meetings (CAT/C/SR.563 and 565), on 8 and 9 May 2003, and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations. A. Introduction 135.The Committee welcomes the initial report of the Republic of Moldova, although it regrets the nearly five-year delay in the submission of the report and the paucity of information on the practical enjoyment in the State party of the rights guaranteed by the Convention. 136.While taking into account the inability of the State party’s delegation to arrive on time for the examination of the report owing to force majeure, the Committee notes with disappointment that most of its questions remained unanswered and reminds the State party of its request to receive further information in writing. B. Positive aspects 137.The Committee welcomes the following positive aspects: (a)The indications given by the State party’s delegation that the new Criminal Code will provide a legal framework for more humane treatment of detainees; (b)The fact that the State party has agreed to publicize the reports and responses resulting from the visits of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). Furthermore, the State party has established a specialized Standing Coordinating Committee in regard to the matters dealt with by CPT; (c)The efforts of the Moldovan authorities to improve prison conditions, inter alia by removing 89 per cent of the metal shutters which covered cell windows in remand prisons, increasing efforts regarding the treatment of tuberculosis patients and increasing employment offers for detainees; (d)The acceptance of article 20 of the Convention. C. Subjects of concern 138.The Committee expresses concern about: (a)The numerous and consistent allegations of acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of detainees in police custody; (b)The reported lack of prompt and adequate access by persons in police custody to legal and medical assistance, and to family members;