Situation during visit (See: E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3) Steps taken in previous years (See: A/HRC/4/33/Add.2 and A/HRC/7/3/Add.2) Information received on steps taken since December 2007/current situation • the Administrative Procedure Code, which guarantees the equality of arms (including presence of a defence council) Prisoner release/amnesty/pardons: • In 2008, the courts, based on motions of the Prison Department and defence lawyers, released 1056 prisoners on parole, postponed the sentence of 42 prisoners, and released two prisoners due to illness • In 2008, 2804 prisoners were granted pardon (pardon covers release or reduction of the sentence) • Parliamentary Law No. 531 of 24 November 2008 lists the crimes with respect to which the suspects, accused, defendants or convicted persons is exempted from criminal liability or when the penalty is reduced to half. With respect to certain crimes it extends the amnesty to persons who were minors when the crimes were committed • Number of amnesties granted: • Exempted from criminal liability: 55 • Penalty reduced to half: 1,215 • Reduction of the Penalty: 1,380 • Penalty remains unchanged: 553 • Total: 3,202 A/HRC/10/44/Add.5 page 38 Recommendations (E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3)