204. The Committee expresses its concern with regard to allegations about instances of police ill-treatment of and excessive use of force against members of the Roma population, which has reportedly resulted in severe injuries in some instances. 205. Concern is also expressed regarding allegations about the excessive use of force by the police in connection with arrests. 206. The Committee notes that the Aliens Act as a general rule precludes the expulsion of an alien to a country where he or she would be in danger of being subjected to torture. However, the Committee expresses its concern that article 51, paragraph 2, of the Act, which allows for the derogation from the general rule in cases where a person constitutes a threat to public security, does not respect the State party's obligations under article 3 of the Convention. 207. The Committee is concerned about the sub-standard conditions in which asylum-seekers are housed in the State party. 5. Recommendations 208. Although the Committee welcomes the incorporation of a definition of torture, in accordance with article 1 of the Convention, in domestic law relating to the enforcement of criminal sanctions, the Committee recommends that the State party incorporate the definition also in substantive criminal law. 209. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary steps to prevent the misuse of force by the police against members of the Roma population and other minorities, particularly, in connection with arrests and detention. 210. The Committee recommends that the State party consider amending the legislation which permits the expulsion of an alien to a country where he or she would be in danger of being tortured, i.e. expulsion justified by the individual being a threat to public security, so that it meets the conditions required by article 3 of the Convention. 211. As a matter of priority, the Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to ensure that asylum-seekers are housed in conditions that comply with the requirements of article 16 of the Convention. 212. The State party is invited to submit its second periodic report by 14 August 2001. Chapter V ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE UNDER ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONVENTION A. General information 213. In accordance with article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, if the Committee receives reliable information which appears to it to contain well-founded indications that torture is being systematically practised in the territory of a State party, the Committee shall invite that State party to cooperate in the examination of the information and, to this end, to submit observations with regard to the information concerned. 36