Evidence obtained by coercion (11) The Committee is concerned at the current investigation system in which confessions are used as a principal form of evidence for prosecution, thus creating conditions that may encourage the use of torture and ill-treatment of suspects. The Committee regrets that the State party did not sufficiently clarify the legal provisions ensuring that any statements which have been made under torture shall not be invoked as evidence in any proceedings, as stipulated in the Convention. The State party should take all appropriate measures to eliminate any adverse effects the current investigation system of promoting confessions may have on the treatment of suspects. The State party should also take the necessary measures to establish that statements which have been made under torture shall not be invoked as evidence in any proceedings, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Monitoring detention facilities (12) While the establishment throughout the State party of “mobile groups”, composed of representatives of civil society and staff of the Ministry of Interior with the mandate to visit police detention facilities, monitor the situation of detainees and prevent acts of torture, is a positive development, the Committee remains concerned at their dependency on the goodwill of local authorities, their lack of formal status and the lack of adequate resources. The State party should establish a formal status for the “mobile groups”, provide them with a strong mandate, guarantee their independence and provide them with adequate resources. The State party should also inform the Committee on the measures it has taken to set up a national preventive mechanism in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention. Law enforcement personnel (13) The Committee is concerned at allegations of acts in breach of the Convention committed by law enforcement personnel, especially with regard to persons detained by the militia and in pretrial detention facilities (SIZO), and at the apparent impunity of the perpetrators. The Committee is also concerned at the reported use of masks by the anti-terrorist unit inside prisons (e.g. in the Izyaslav Correctional Colony, in January 2007), resulting in the intimidation and ill-treatment of inmates. The State party should ensure that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment are promptly, effectively and impartially investigated and that the perpetrators are prosecuted and convicted in accordance with the gravity of their acts. The State party should also ensure that the anti-terrorist unit is not used inside prisons so as to prevent the mistreatment and intimidation of inmates. Violence against women and children, including trafficking (14) While noting the measures adopted by the State party to combat trafficking, the Committee remains concerned about the persistence of trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation. It also notes the extremely low level of cases of domestic violence brought to justice, despite the high reported incidence of domestic violence. The State party should strengthen measures to prevent and combat trafficking and domestic violence, provide protection for victims and their access to medical, social rehabilitative and legal services, including counselling services, as appropriate. The State party should create adequate conditions for victims to exercise their right to complain and have each case promptly, impartially and effectively investigated. Perpetrators must be brought to justice and punished with penalties appropriate to the gravity of their acts. 82