E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.2 page 11 2005, 269 investigations into incidents of torture were passed onto the police by the state public prosecutor’s office. Seventeen separate criminal proceedings have been brought against 227 FEBEM employees. Out of these, 17 employees have been convicted at first instance. 50. Recommendation (y) stated: Basic and refresher training for police, detention personnel, public prosecutors and others involved in law enforcement that would include human and constitutional rights subjects, as well as scientific techniques and other best practices for the professional discharge of their functions, needs to be provided urgently. The United Nations Development Programme’s human security programme could have a substantial contribution to make here. 51. Recommendation (z) stated: The proposed constitutional amendment that would under certain circumstances permit the federal Government to seek Appeal Court authorization to assume jurisdiction over crimes involving violation of internationally recognized human rights should be adopted. The federal prosecutorial authorities will need substantially increased resources for them to be able effectively to discharge the new responsibility. 52. According to information received from NGOs, this amendment has now been approved by Congress as part of a wider judicial reform package, and is in force. Under the amendment, the first case submitted to the Appeal Court (Superior Tribunal de Justica), concerning the death of Sister Dorothy Stang in Pará, was turned down on the basis that at the time of submission there was not enough proof of state incapacity or inertia in the investigation. In São Paulo, the Sapopemba Human Rights Centre has used the threat of seeking an Appeal Court authorisation to unblock a torture case subjected to unnecessary delays in the respective state Supreme Court. 53 Recommendation (aa) stated: Federal funding of police and penal establishments should take account of the existence or otherwise of structures to guarantee respect for the rights of those detained. Federal funding to implement the previous recommendations should be available. In particular, the law on fiscal responsibility should not be an obstacle to giving effect to these recommendations. 54. Recommendation (bb) stated: The Government should give serious and positive consideration to accepting the right of individual petition to the Committee against Torture, by making the declaration envisaged under article 22 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 55. Recommendation (cc) stated: The Government is also urged to consider inviting the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions to visit the country. 56. Recommendation (dd) stated: The United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture is invited to consider sympathetically requests for assistance by non-governmental organizations working for the medical needs of persons who have been tortured and for the legal redress of their grievance.