(f) Declaring in favour of article 22 of the Convention and specifically on behalf of Hong Kong and the other United Kingdom dependent Territories; (g) Given the need for prisons, continuing the present policy of rebuilding in accordance with the most modern standards; (h) Reviewing the policies favouring private policing with a view to properly regulating that activity; (i) Reconsidering corporal punishment with a view to determining if it should be abolished in those dependencies that still retain it. D. Colombia 66. The Committee considered the periodic report of Colombia (CAT/C/20/Add.4) at its 238th and 239th meetings, on 21 and 23 November 1995 (see CAT/C/SR.238, 239 and 242/Add.1), and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations: 1. Introduction 67. The Committee thanks the State party for submitting its periodic report, which in general conforms to the Committee’s guidelines. Furthermore, it recognizes the frankness and sincerity of the good oral report provided by the government representatives, at the same time acknowledging the difficulties impeding the reduction of the practice of torture. The replies to the concerns expressed by the Committee were also frank and made in a constructive spirit. 2. Positive aspects 68. The Committee notes that the new Constitution of Colombia contains various provisions that are very satisfactory from the standpoint of human rights and mechanisms for their protection, namely, the prohibition of torture, the regulations of habeas corpus, the functions of the Attorney-General and the Ombudsman, and the precedence of international human rights treaties over national legislation. 69. The Committee notes the increase in the penalty for the offence of torture provided for in article 279 of the Penal Code. 70. The Committee draws particular attention to the establishment of the Office of the Attorney-General for the Defence of Human Rights. 3. Factors and difficulties impeding implementation of the Convention 71. The Committee is aware that the general climate of violence caused by guerrilla warfare, drug trafficking and groups of armed civilians restrict effective enforcement of the Convention in Colombia. 72. The Committee considers that the almost total lack of penalties for persons responsible for torture constitutes an obstacle to the implementation of the Convention. -15-