5. 75. Recommendations The Committee recommends that: (a) The State party amend its domestic penal law to include the crime of torture, consistent with the definition in article 1 of the Convention, and supported by an adequate penalty; (b) In view of the numerous reports of allegations of torture and ill-treatment by law-enforcement personnel, the State party take all necessary effective steps to prevent these events from occurring; (c) In order to ensure that the perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment do not enjoy impunity, the State party ensure the investigation and, where appropriate, the prosecution of all those accused of having committed such acts, and ensure that amnesty laws exclude torture from their reach; (d) The State party continue its reforms in the police, prosecution and judicial institutions to ensure that each is sensitive to their obligations under the Convention; in particular, urgent steps should be taken to ensure the centrality and independence of the judiciary in the penal system, particularly with reference to limited renewable-term appointments, so as to bring them into line with the 1985 Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and the 1990 Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors; (e) The State party take measures to improve prison conditions, taking into account the 1955 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; (f) Military places of detention and prisons be supervised to ensure that inmates are not maltreated and they, as should everyone, can be represented by counsel at their trials; (g) The State party consider abolishing the death penalty; (h) The State party consider making the declarations under articles 21 and 22 of the Convention. G. Uzbekistan 76. The Committee considered the initial report of Uzbekistan (CAT/C/32/Add.3) at its 405th, 408th and 409th meetings on 17, 18 and 19 November 1999 (CAT/C/SR.405, 408 and 409), and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations. 1. Introduction 77. The Committee notes with satisfaction the excellent quality of the State party's initial report, which is in conformity with the guidelines, together with its frankness and exhaustiveness, while observing that it was submitted three years late. The Committee also notes with satisfaction the oral introduction of the report made by the head of the delegation. It especially welcomes the readiness of the delegation to enter into a dialogue with the Committee. 2. 78. Positive aspects The Committee has identified several positive aspects, in particular: (a) The fact that under Uzbek law torture is a separate offence that carries severe penalties; 19