CAT/C/ETH/CO/1 party to the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Abductions 20. The Committee is concerned at reports that, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the State party has allegedly abducted terrorism suspects from other countries, including Somalia, in breach of the Convention (art. 3). The State party should refrain from abducting terrorism suspects from other countries where they may enjoy the protection of article 3 of the Convention. The State party should allow for an independent investigation into allegations of such abductions, in particular when followed by secret detention and torture in the State party, and inform the Committee of the outcome of such investigation in its next periodic report. Training 21. The Committee takes note of the information on training, seminars and courses on human rights for judges, prosecutors, police and prison officers and soldiers included in the State party’s report and provided during the oral presentation. At the same time, it notes with concern the information in the report (para. 14) concerning the lack of awareness about the Convention on the part of law enforcement officials, the prevailing view that a certain degree of coercion is a necessary means of interrogation and the lack of forensic expertise and skills and knowledge on adequate investigation techniques in the State party (art. 10). The State party should further develop and strengthen educational programmes to ensure that all officials, including judges, law enforcement, security, army, intelligence and prison officials are fully aware of the provisions of the Convention, especially the absolute prohibition of torture, and of the fact that breaches of the Convention will not be tolerated and will be promptly and impartially investigated, and that offenders will be prosecuted. Furthermore, all relevant personnel, including medical personnel, should receive specific training on how to identify signs of torture and ill-treatment, including training on the use of the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol), published by the United Nations in 2004. In addition, the State party should assess the effectiveness and impact of such training/educational programmes. Judicial proceedings and independence of the judiciary 22. While noting that the Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, the Committee expresses concern about reports on frequent interference by the executive branch with the judicial process, in particular in criminal proceedings, and reported cases of harassment, threats, intimidation and dismissal of judges resisting political pressure, refusing to admit confessions extracted by torture or ill-treatment in court proceedings, and acquitting or ordering the release of defendants charged with terrorist or State crimes. The Committee is also concerned at reports about unfair court proceedings in politically sensitive cases, including violations of the right of defendants to have adequate time for the preparation of their defence, access to a lawyer and defence witnesses examined under the same conditions as witnesses of the prosecution, and to appeal their sentence (arts. 2, 12 and 13). 8