E/CN.4/1997/7 page 12 between 1989 and 1993 in the context of the anti-terrorism campaign. The report contains, inter alia , data on the cases of persons who were reportedly tortured, methods of torture and the identity of the persons responsible, and calls for the institution of criminal proceedings against them as well as for the forwarding of the report to the courts in which criminal proceedings are under way against the persons charged with armed revolt and other crimes against State security. 33. In the light of this report, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government, by a letter of 11 July 1996, to provide information on the follow-up action taken by the competent bodies on the recommendations of the Commission and the status of the proceedings against the persons accused of having perpetrated torture in cases where such proceedings have begun. 34. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the Government two urgent appeals on behalf, respectively, of two groups of persons. Bulgaria 35. By letter dated 9 August 1996 the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information according to which torture and other ill-treatment against criminal suspects occurred on a widespread basis in Bulgaria. Victims were reportedly tortured or beaten to coerce the signing of “confessions” or to elicit other information in connection with criminal investigations. In a number of cases, victims of ill-treatment allegedly had not been provided adequate medical treatment. Most victims were said to desist from making official complaints for fear of further harassment or because they did not believe that such action would result in the punishment of the perpetrator. 36. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted allegations concerning 24 individual cases. The Government replied to 16 of them as well as to 2 cases transmitted in previous years. Observations 37. The Special Rapporteur is concerned by the frequency of allegations of torture or ill-treatment, sometimes followed by death, of persons in police custody. The rarity of any disciplinary measures and of investigations leading to criminal prosecutions, as well as the virtual absence of successful prosecutions of those responsible, can only lead to a climate of impunity. He believes the Government should establish measures to ensure the independent monitoring, on a sustained basis, of the arrest, detention and interrogation practices of the relevant law enforcement agencies. Burundi 38. The Special Rapporteur transmitted, in conjunction with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, one urgent appeal on behalf of a group of 15 persons.