Strengthening the rule of law Administration of justice and judicial institutions Is the NHRI involved in the reform and strengthening of the judicial institutions? Efforts in this area could focus on: – Legislative reforms, harmonization and compliance with international standards, removal of reservations, etc.; – Procedures related to the level and appointment of prosecutors and judges and qualifying lawyers; – The security and working conditions of prosecutors and judges; – Institutional monitoring and accountability mechanisms within the judicial system; – The independence of the judiciary and its capacity to adjudicate cases fairly and competently; – Equal access to fair justice, especially for people living in poverty; – Education in human rights law for judges, lawyers, prosecutors and other judicial authorities; – Rule of law training that emphasizes human rights and international humanitarian law; – Support to legal education facilities, for example a library; – Ensuring that the administration of justice conforms to human rights standards and provides effective remedies particularly to minorities and to the most vulnerable groups in society. Has the NHRI made active use of OHCHR Professional Training Series No. 9: Human Rights in the Administration of Justice: A Manual on Human Rights for Judges, Lawyers and Prosecutors?66 Police Is the NHRI involved in the reform and strengthening of the security institutions? Efforts in this area could focus on: – Establishing and carrying out effective and impartial vetting of persons involved in criminal acts of violence, as well as corruption and other serious crimes; – Ensuring professionalism in the security forces, through senior management training, including human rights training, and the setting-up of accountability mechanisms based on the development of standard operating procedures and standing orders, a monitoring system to ensure their application and an internal investigation procedure leading to concrete sanctions including prosecution in the event of misconduct, arrest procedures, collection and preservation of evidence, procedures for protecting witnesses, including the confidentiality of witnesses when necessary, interrogation procedures, and preparation of reports. Has the NHRI made active use of OHCHR Professional Training Series No. 5: Human Rights and Law Enforcement: A Manual on Human Rights Training for the Police?67 United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.XIV.3. United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.XIV.5. See also the following additions: Human Rights and Law Enforcement: A Trainer’s Guide on Human Rights for the Police (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.XIV.1) and Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police: Expanded Pocket Book on Human Rights for the Police (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.XIV.7). 66 67 128