A/66/44 welcoming the new Anti-Corruption Law and other measures taken by the State party, it notes with concern reports of political interference and corruption affecting the judicial bodies and the functioning of some public services, including the police and other law enforcement services. In this respect, the Committee expresses its concern at reports that police officers are promoted for convictions and that police stations are given special incentives for convictions, amounting to a rewards system, as well as reports of police officers benefitting financially from informal arrangements or extrajudicial settlements. The Committee is also concerned that the Anti-Corruption Unit established under the new AntiCorruption Law has not yet taken any steps against alleged perpetrators of corruption and is not yet fully operational (arts. 2, 10 and 12). The State party should take immediate and urgent measures to eradicate corruption throughout the country which is one of the most serious impediments to the rule of law and the implementation of the Convention. Such measures should include effective implementation of the anti-corruption legislation and the expeditious operationalization of the Anti-Corruption Unit, which should consist of independent members. The State party should also increase its capacity to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption. The State party should establish a programme of witness and whistle-blower protection to assist in ensuring confidentiality and to protect those who lodge allegations of corruption, and ensure that sufficient funding be allocated for its effective functioning. Furthermore, the State party should undertake training and capacity-building programmes for the police and other law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges, on the strict application of anticorruption legislation as well as on relevant professional codes of ethics, and adopt effective mechanisms to ensure transparency in the conduct of public officials, in law and in practice. The Committee requests the State party to report back on progress achieved, and the difficulties encountered, in combating corruption. The Committee also requests the State party to provide information on the number of officials, including senior officials, who have been prosecuted and punished on account of corruption charges. Independence of the judiciary (13) The Committee reiterates its grave concern at the lack of independence and effectiveness of the judiciary, including the criminal justice system, which hinders the full enjoyment of human rights, such as the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. The Committee is also concerned that fundamental laws of reform of the judiciary have not yet been enacted. The Committee further expresses its concern at the lack of independence of the Bar Association, the limits on its size and the qualifications for these limits. The Committee regrets the failure of the State party to respond to its questions about provisions of the Anti-Corruption Law that address the independence of the judiciary and to provide examples of cases where those who engaged in exerting and complying with undue pressure on the judiciary were investigated, prosecuted and convicted (art. 2). The State party should intensify its efforts to establish and ensure a fully independent and professional judiciary in conformity with international standards and ensure that it is free from political interference. Such efforts should include the immediate enactment of all relevant laws of reform, notably the Organic Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Courts; the Law on the Amendment of the Supreme Council of Magistracy; and the Law on the Status of Judges and Prosecutors. The State party should also ensure that those who engage in exerting and complying with undue pressure on the judiciary are investigated, prosecuted and convicted, and provide examples of such cases. In addition, the State party should take the necessary steps to ensure that the Bar Association is independent, transparent and 22 GE.11-45568