CAT/C/SRB/CO/2 Training 20. The Committee notes that training on the provisions of the Convention is not provided on a regular basis to persons involved in the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. It is also concerned that the guidelines set out in the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Istanbul Protocol) have not been fully incorporated in investigations into cases of torture or ill-treatment (art. 10). The State party should: (a) Develop modules on the provisions of the Convention in the periodic and compulsory training programmes of law enforcement officials, judges, prosecutors and prison and immigration officers; (b) Provide regular training on the procedures established in the Istanbul Protocol to police officers, asylum officers, judges, prosecutors, penitentiary guards, forensic doctors and personnel working at reception or detention centres, including training on detecting psychological traces of torture and on gender-sensitive approaches, and ensure that the guidelines set out in the Protocol are incorporated into the investigation of cases of torture or ill-treatment Protector of Citizens 21. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Law No. 7/2011 designating the Protector of Citizens (Ombudsperson) as a national preventive mechanism (NPM). However, it is concerned about the lack of sufficient financial and permanent staffing resources provided to the Protector of Citizens to carry out the NPM mandate effectively. The Committee also regrets the lack of information regarding the degree of implementation of the order of the National Assembly to comply with the recommendations issued by the NPM in 2013. It is further concerned at the attempt by the Security Services Control Committee of the National Assembly to challenge the competence of the Protector of Citizens to act upon complaints if criminal proceedings have been initiated (art. 2). The State party should ensure the effective and independent operation of the Protector of Citizens and refrain from encroaching upon its mandate to act on complaints in individual cases, irrespective of whether or not criminal proceedings have been initiated. The State party should also provide adequate and permanent staffing levels and material resources to ensure that the Protector of Citizens can carry out independently and effectively the national preventive mechanism mandate. The State party should also ensure that all relevant authorities comply with the order of the National Assembly to implement the recommendations of the Protector of Citizens without delay. Independence of the judiciary 22. While welcoming the measures taken to strengthen the independence of the judiciary (see para. 7 (b) above), the Committee remains concerned that the National Assembly still endorses the nomination of candidate judges proposed by the High Judicial Council, which represents a significant parliamentary role in the selection of judges (arts. 2 and 12). The State party should continue to take measures to ensure the full independence and impartiality of the judiciary in performing its functions, and should review the regime for the appointment of judges in the light of the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and values 1 and 2 of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct. 10