A/HRC/4/33/Add.2 Page 127 about whether or not any forms of torture or ill-treatment were used by the investigator or anybody else to extract a confession. If it is suspected that torture has been committed or traces potentially stemming from torture are detected during the investigation or during trial, a forensic examination and a preliminary investigation have to be conducted. If the suspicion is confirmed, a criminal case must be opened. Out of the criminal cases opened in 2006 relating to torture, to compulsion to testify and to abuse of power, with regard to 17 persons the courts found violations. 715. Recommendation (o) stated: Priority should be given to enhancing and strengthening the training of law enforcement agents regarding the treatment of persons deprived of liberty. The Government should continue to request relevant international organizations to provide it with assistance in that matter. 716. The Government informed that the Main Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the Bar Association of Uzbekistan, has developed and introduced on 1 October 2006 the regulations “On Ensuring the Protection of the Rights of Detainees, Suspects and Accused during Preliminary Investigation and Interrogation”. In order to familiarize internal affairs officials and staff of penitentiary establishments further with the rights and duties of the parties to criminal proceedings, information boards and posters on human rights were put up in all departments and divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 717. Recommendation (p) stated: Serious consideration should be given to amending existing legislation to place correctional facilities (prisons and colonies) and remand centres (SIZOs) under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. 718. According to information received from NGOs and other sources, concrete steps regarding an amendment to existing legislation have still not been taken. 719. The Government informed that representatives of the penitentiary administration of Uzbekistan undertook a number of study visits to familiarise with the experience of other countries in the area of transferring the penitentiary system to the authority of the Ministry of Justice. A Concept paper on the further development and improvement of the penitentiary system 2005-2010 has been adopted, where the transfer figures prominently. The implementation of the Concept paper will allow for the effective use of criminal punishment, improve the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees, create the necessary preconditions for social rehabilitation during and after detention and raise the level of professional training of the personnel and improve their social protection. 720. Recommendation (q) stated: Where there is credible evidence that a person has been subjected to torture or similar ill-treatment, adequate reparation should be promptly given to that person; for this purpose a system of compensation and rehabilitation should be put in place. 721. Recommendation (r) stated: The Ombudsman’s Office should be provided with the necessary financial and human resources to carry out its functions effectively. It should be granted the authority to inspect at will, as necessary and without notice, any place of deprivation of liberty, to publicize its findings regularly and to submit evidence of criminal behaviour to the relevant prosecutorial body and the administrative superiors of the public authority whose acts are in question.