CAT/C/ETH/CO/1 investigations be undertaken by independent experts to examine all information thoroughly, reach conclusions as to the facts and measures taken and provide adequate compensation, including the means for as full rehabilitation as possible, to the victims and their families. The State party is requested to provide the Committee with detailed information on the outcome of those investigations in its next periodic report. Complaint mechanism 18. Notwithstanding the information provided in the State party’s report on the possibility for prisoners and detainees to present complaints to the prison administration at various levels, e.g., by using suggestion boxes, as well as to the courts, the federal crime investigation department and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Committee regrets the lack of a dedicated, independent and effective complaint mechanism for receiving complaints and conducting prompt and impartial investigations into allegations of torture, in particular of prisoners and detainees, and for ensuring that those found guilty are appropriately punished. The Committee also notes the absence of information, including statistics, on the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and sanctions imposed on perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment, at both the penal and disciplinary levels (art. 2, 12, 13 and 16). The State party should take urgent and effective measures to establish a specifically dedicated, independent and effective complaint mechanism to receive and ensure prompt and impartial investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment committed by law enforcement, security, military and prison officials, and to initiate the prosecution of perpetrators. In particular, such investigations shall not be undertaken by or under the authority of the police or military, but by an independent body. The State party should ensure in practice that complainants are protected against any ill-treatment or intimidation that could arise as a consequence of their complaint or any evidence given. The Committee requests the State party to clarify whether acts of torture and ill-treatment are subject to ex officio investigation and prosecution and to provide information, including statistics, on the number of complaints filed against public officials on torture and ill-treatment, as well as information about the results of the proceedings, at both the penal and disciplinary levels. This information should be disaggregated by sex, age and ethnicity of the individual bringing the complaints and indicate which authority undertook the investigation. Refugees and asylum-seekers 19. While acknowledging the State party’s generous policy to admit and grant permission to stay to a significant number of nationals from Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan, the Committee notes with concern that decisions taken by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) denying refugee status or ordering deportation can only be appealed to the Grievance Hearing Committee or the Appeal Hearing Council, respectively, both of which are composed of representatives of various Government departments. The Committee also notes with concern that the State party has not acceded to the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (arts. 2, 3, 11 and 16). The State party should ensure that foreign nationals whose refugee or asylum applications have been rejected by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) can appeal such decisions and deportation orders against them to court. The Committee recommends that the State party consider becoming a 7