A/65/44 law, thereby denying such persons basic citizenship rights and putting them at risk of expulsion without the guarantees pursuant to article 3 of the Convention (arts. 3 and 16). The Committee calls upon the State party to put an end to its arbitrary withdrawal of nationality from Jordanians of Palestinian origin. Human rights defenders (25) The Committee notes with concern reports of threats against and harassment and intimidation of persons monitoring human rights in the State party and is concerned that this may hinder the operation and activities of civil-society monitoring groups and thus their capacity to function effectively (arts. 2, 12 and 16). The State party should take all necessary steps to ensure that all persons, including those monitoring human rights, are protected from any intimidation or violence as a result of their activities and exercise of human rights guarantees, to ensure the prompt, impartial and effective investigation of such acts, and to prosecute and punish perpetrators. Children in detention (26) The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the State party to reform its juvenile justice system. However, the Committee notes with concern that, despite the information provided that the provisions of the Juvenile Act are being amended to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years, the minimum age of criminal responsibility (7 years) remains below international standards, and there is a lack of alternatives to imprisonment. Furthermore, the Committee notes with concern that a juvenile who commits a crime with an adult is tried before the court competent to hear the charges against the adult (arts. 2, 11 and 16). The State party should, as a matter of urgency, raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility in order to bring it into line with generally accepted international standards. The State party should also take all necessary measures to develop and implement a comprehensive system of alternative measures to ensure that deprivation of liberty of juveniles is used only as a measure of last resort, for the shortest possible time and in appropriate conditions. Furthermore, the State party should ensure that juveniles are tried before juvenile courts. Conditions of detention (27) While noting that prison and detention centre conditions have improved, including in the context of the Government’s comprehensive plan for the development and modernization of correctional facilities and rehabilitation centres, the Committee remains concerned at continued reports of overcrowding, understaffing, inadequate food and health care, and ineffective pre-release and post-release programmes (arts. 11 and 16). The State party should continue to take effective measures to improve conditions in places of detention and to reduce overcrowding in such places, including through the application of alternative measures to imprisonment. Training (28) The Committee takes note of the information included in the State party’s report on training and awareness-raising programmes. However, the Committee regrets the lack of information on targeted training for security and intelligence personnel, judges, prosecutors, forensic doctors and medical personnel dealing with detained persons, including methods to document the physical and psychological sequelae of torture (art. 10). The State party should further develop and strengthen educational programmes to ensure that all officials, including law enforcement, security, intelligence and prison 108 GE.10-44721