CAT/C/SAU/CO/2 (b) The fact that, reportedly, no complaints were lodged by detainees, including migrants workers, despite reports indicating allegations of torture and ill-treatment against them; (c) 33. The reported existence of secret places of detention (arts. 2, 11-13 and 16). The State party should: (a) Take measures to strengthen the independence of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution from the Ministry of the Interior, and in particular ensure that the Ministry of the Interior does not have the capacity to appoint, dismiss or discipline officials of the Bureau; (b) Ensure that all places of detention are subject to regular monitoring by an independent institution; (c) Ensure that no one is held in a secret detention facility under the de facto control of the State party. Human Rights Commission 34. While taking note of measures aimed at reinforcing the independence of the Human Rights Commission, the Committee remains concerned about the following: (a) The Human Rights Commission is subject to the authority of officials of the executive branch and does not have independent funding; (b) The reported lack of unhindered access to all places of detention; (c) The Commission’s finding that only one complaint was considered serious, despite frequent reports of misconduct on the part of Al-Mabahith officers; (d) The absence of a confidential complaint mechanism for detainees to lodge complaints, owing to the involvement of prison wardens and directors in the complaints process (arts. 2 and 12-13). 35. The State party should take the following measures: (a) Ensure that the Human Rights Commission is in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) by guaranteeing its independence, that it has full access to all places of detention and that it is able to impartially and effectively handle cases of torture and ill-treatment; (b) Establish a complaints mechanism that guarantees confidentiality and the absence of reprisals against detainees, ensure that it is made accessible and widely publicized in all detention facilities and that complaints are received and reviewed directly by an independent human rights commission, in conformity with international standards; (c) Encourage the Human Rights Commission to consider seeking accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (formerly the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions). Violence against women and girls 36. The Committee notes the State party’s assurance that “domestic violence, including sexual violence, is a crime punishable under the Protection from Abuse Act” and that the Child Protection Act “covers all forms of the abuse or exploitation of children …, including physical, psychological and sexual abuse” (see CAT/C/SAU/Q/2/Add.2, paras. 30-31). Nonetheless, the Committee is concerned about the absence of information on specific 8

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