A/55/290 regarding pay and conditions of work for law enforcement officials in other countries. In that context, it must be noted that a significant number of cases received by the Special Rapporteur concern beatings and other forms of ill-treatment, especially in police custody, allegedly aimed at extorting bribes, mainly from common criminal suspects. During factfinding missions, the lack of financial resources was often presented by officials as an explanation, if not a justification, for failing to provide food or adequate and prompt medical care to detainees. Detainees in need of urgent medical attention have thus been left unattended reportedly due to a lack of medicines or of means of transportation to a proper medical institution. Finally, the Special Rapporteur notes with concern that law enforcement officials from lower ranks often acknowledged that because of a lack of means to carry out proper investigations into cases brought to them, violence was resorted to as the “easiest” and “simplest” way to achieve “results”. This, coupled with a lack of proper training, is among the main root causes of torture, especially in relation to common criminal suspects. cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has been committed by or at the instigation of a public official, the victim shall be afforded redress and compensation in accordance with national law”. 37. The Special Rapporteur has neither the competence nor the expertise to offer solutions to change these bleak realities. He believes, however, that as long as national societies and, indeed, the international community fail to address the problems of the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable, they are indirectly and, as far as exposure to the risk of torture is concerned, directly contributing to the vicious circle of brutalization that is a blot on and a threat to our aspirations for a life of dignity and respect for all. Notes 1 “For the purposes of the present Convention, the term ‘discrimination against women’ shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.” 2 Similarly, article 11 of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3452 (XXX) of 9 December 1975, provides that “[w]here it is proved that an act of torture or other 9