Moreover, the CEHRC’s Opinion suggests extending to these bodies powers to bring charges: “This type of independent police prosecution system could be adapted to a police complaints system which functions under the auspices of an IPCB. Following the example of certain European ombudsman institutions which possess powers to bring charges before the court on their own authority, the IPCB could be granted similar powers to press criminal charges after completion of its complaints investigations. Naturally, the constitutional and legal system prevailing in each member state would play an important part in gauging the feasibility of such an arrangement. Particular consideration would also need to be given to the availability of safeguards and protecting the rights of police officers as defendants in criminal proceedings.” 186 Such an arrangement receives some support from the CPT, which has stated that: “[I]n the interests of bolstering public confidence, it might also be thought appropriate that such a body be invested with the power to remit a case directly to the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] for consideration of whether or not criminal proceedings should be brought.”187 The standards on arrangements designed to avert doubts in independence of investigation of ill-treatment, other serious human rights violations or abuse attributable to law-enforcement agencies is corroborated by the corresponding domestic developments of introducing special complaints (investigation) mechanisms or systems. It is evident that the Independent Police Complaints Commission for England and Wales,188 Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland189, Independent Police Complaints Board in Hungary,190 Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs,191 Committee P in Belgium and other similar bodies in many jurisdictions are based on the rationale of having particular institutional guarantees of reinforced autonomy or independence from the police or even the executive in general. 186. CEHRC’s Opinion, para. 22. 187. The CPT’s report on the visit to the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man from 8 to 17 September 1999, CPT/Inf (2001) 6, para. 55. 188. See www.ipcc.gov.uk, accessed on 05.12.2013. 189. See www.policeombudsman.org, accessed on 05.12.2013. 190. See www.panasztestulet.hu/index.php?link=en_main.htm, accessed on 05.12.2013. 191. See www.spesialenheten.no/Mainpage/tabid/5240/language/en-GB/Default.aspx, accessed on 05.12.2013. Explanatory note ► Page 63

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