A/69/44 according to non-governmental sources, at least 10 prisoners are on death row (arts. 2 and 16). The Committee encourages the State party to continue to make the public aware of this issue and to consider the possibility of abolishing the death penalty and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. Situation of refugees (25) While it appreciates the efforts of the State party to host a large number of refugees, particularly Malian refugees who arrived following the outbreak of conflict in their country, the Committee nevertheless remains concerned because the Appeals Committee, which should offer asylum seekers the opportunity to appeal against adverse decisions, is not yet operational. It also remains concerned by the fact that persons can be refused refugee status if they are accused of lesser offences or of serious crimes. The Committee also notes with regret the difficulties that refugees trying to enter the job market face, notwithstanding the efforts made by the State party (arts. 2, 3 and 16). The State party should expedite efforts to allow the Appeals Committee to operate effectively in order to enable asylum seekers to exercise their rights and thus to prevent any possible abuses. Where an asylum seeker is in conflict with the law, the State party should initiate the necessary investigation and prosecution procedures while at the same time considering the applicant’s request for international protection in accordance with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The State party should also ensure that the 2008 Act on the rights of refugees, including the right to work, is enforced and should continue to raise public awareness in this regard. Mob justice (26) The Committee remains concerned by reports of mob attacks against thieves and other alleged offenders by members of the general public, presumably due to a lack of confidence in the judicial system. The Committee is particularly concerned by reports that such mob attacks have resulted in the death of alleged offenders and, in some cases, have taken place in front of police officers (arts. 2 and 16). The State party should take appropriate measures to put a stop to mob attacks and lynching, by conducting information and education campaigns on the need to eliminate such practices and by prosecuting and punishing any perpetrators. It should furthermore take steps to guarantee the credibility of the judicial system and to develop a community-based justice system. Training (27) The Committee takes note of the information provided by the State party about the talks on the Convention that are held each year for students of the National Police Academy, the National School for Non-Commissioned Officers of the Gendarmerie and the Military Academy and for officers currently working for the criminal investigation service. However, it regrets that no training on the Convention or on the detection of acts of torture is offered to judges, prosecutors or forensic doctors. It notes with interest that a training manual for the police and the gendarmerie has been produced in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights. However, the Committee regrets that the Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Istanbul Protocol) is not used in the abovementioned training and that the courses have not had any real impact in terms of reducing the incidence of torture in the State party (art. 10). GE.14-12596 33