(b) The law enforcement promotion system based on the number of crimes solved, which appears to create conditions that promote the use of torture and ill-treatment with a view to obtaining confessions; (c) The information of the State party that representatives of international organizations other than the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture can talk to prisoners only when accompanied by representatives of the administration. The State party should ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and the prosecution and punishment of those found responsible, as well as the protection of complainants and witnesses of torture. The State party should consider setting up a national system to review all places of detention and cases of alleged abuses of persons while in custody, ensuring regular, independent, unannounced and unrestricted visits to all places of detention. To that end, the State party should establish transparent administrative guidelines and criteria for access, and facilitate visits by independent monitors, such as independent non-governmental organizations. The State party should finalize and adopt the draft federal Law No. 11807-3, which was adopted by the State Duma on first reading in September 2003 and is now in preparation for a second reading. The State party should take appropriate measures to eliminate any adverse effect that the current law enforcement promotion system may have on the prevalent use of torture and ill-treatment. (10) The Committee is further concerned at: (a) Continuing reports of hazing3 in the military (dedovshchina) as well as of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the armed forces, conducted by or with the consent, acquiescence or approval of officers or other personnel, notwithstanding the State party’s reported intention to develop an action plan to prevent hazing in the armed forces; (b) Documented reports that victims who lodge complaints are subjected to further reprisals and abuse and that there is no system of protection for witnesses of such acts; (c) Hundreds of reports that investigations are inadequate or absent, and that despite thousands of officers charged with such offences, that there is widespread impunity. The State party should apply a zero-tolerance approach to the continuing problem of dedovshchina in the armed forces, take immediate measures of prevention and ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigation and prosecution of such abuses. The State party should ensure the protection of victims and witnesses of violence in the armed forces and establish a rehabilitation programme, including appropriate medical and psychological assistance, for victims. Violence against women and children, including trafficking (11) The Committee is concerned at: (a) The lack of formal complaints, according to the State party, despite reliable allegations of violence against women in custody; 3 The Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Eleventh edition) defines the verb “to haze” as follows: [N. Amer.] “torment or harass (a new student or recruit) by subjection to strenuous, humiliating, or dangerous tasks”. 31

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