PART II  Commitments Related to Structural Components of a Democratic Society 95 Brussels 2006 (Decisions: Decision No. 5/06 on Organized Crime) The Ministerial Council, (…) Emphasizing the key role played by an efficient and effective criminal justice system in upholding public safety and security, Recognizing that policies and activities regarding the criminal justice system should comprise and integrate, inter alia, crime prevention, law enforcement, the police, the judicial system, the prosecution, defence lawyers and penal systems, Recognizing that efficient and effective criminal justice systems can only be developed on the basis of the rule of law and on the protection of human rights and that the rule of law itself requires the protection of such criminal justice systems, Recognizing that efficient and effective criminal justice systems based on the rule of law are a prerequisite for combating organized crime, trafficking in human beings, illicit drugs and weapons, terrorism, corruption and other forms of transnational and domestic criminal activity and that specialist responses to these security challenges must take place within the overall framework of a criminal justice system, (…) Recognizing the need for the OSCE to focus on enhancing international legal co operation and on improving criminal justice systems as part of its overall security agenda, in co ordination with the United Nations and other multilateral forums, (…) 4. Urges participating States to pay due attention to the integrity and professionalism of law enforcement agencies and prosecution authorities, the efficient administration of justice and proper management of the court system, the independence of the judiciary and the proper functioning of the penitentiary system and to explore ways of alternatives to imprisonment; (…) Brussels 2006 (Brussels Declaration on Criminal Justice Systems) (…) We call on the participating States to fully implement their commitments and international obligations to ensure fair and effective operation of their criminal justice systems. Helsinki 2008 (Decisions: Decision No. 7/08 on Further Strengthening the Rule of Law in the OSCE Area) The Ministerial Council, (…) Underlining the importance we attach to human rights, the rule of law and democracy, which are inter-linked and mutually reinforcing,