CAT/C/IRQ/CO/1 judges who fail to respond appropriately to allegations of torture raised during judicial proceedings. Judicial system 23. The Committee is concerned about the reported lack of independence, impartiality and adequate training of the judiciary, which hinders the full enjoyment of human rights, such as the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. It is also concerned about reports regarding questionable judicial practices under the Anti-Terrorist Law of 2005 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, such as arrests without warrants, protracted pretrial detention, indefinite detention of suspects, and convictions based on the testimony of secret informants (arts. 2 and 11). The State party should ensure a fully independent, impartial and well-trained judiciary in conformity with the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and other relevant international standards. In particular, the State party should reform and strengthen the judiciary to effectively address issues of impunity, victim redress and due process, in line with the Convention and the commitment made by the State party during the universal periodic review in November 2014 (see A/HRC/28/14, paras. 127.145 and 127.222, and A/HRC/28/14/Add.1). Gender-based violence 24. The Committee expresses its serious concern that gender-based violence, including rape, domestic violence and crimes committed in the name of “honour”, remains pervasive in the State party. While welcoming the promulgation of Act No. 8 (2011) on domestic violence in the Kurdistan Region, the Committee notes with concern that the State party has not yet enacted comprehensive legislation to combat violence against women, including marital rape and so-called “honour” crimes. The Committee takes note of the explanation by the delegation that provisions in the Penal Code allowing for reduced sentences for “honour” crimes and the impunity of perpetrators of rape in cases where they marry the victim, which remain in law, are allegedly no longer being applied, despite the information from non-governmental sources to the contrary. It also notes with concern that only in the Kurdistan Region have local non-governmental organizations been permitted to run shelters for women fleeing violence and that non-governmental organizations seeking to maintain shelters in other parts of the territory have faced harassment and attacks by State and nonState actors (arts. 1, 2, 4 and 16). The State party should: (a) Ensure that all cases of violence against women are thoroughly investigated, that perpetrators are prosecuted and that victims obtain redress, including fair and adequate compensation; (b) Provide better protection and appropriate care for such victims, including access to safe houses, State-run and private shelters, identity documents without prior authorization of a male family member, medical care and psychological support; (c) Increase cooperation with non-governmental organizations working to protect women and girls from violence throughout the country, and ensure that such organizations are protected from all forms of harassment and violence; (d) Enact comprehensive legislation to combat domestic and gender-based violence, including a law permitting privately run shelters; 7