141. It is noted with concern that practices in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region relating to refugees may not be in full conformity with article 3 of the Convention. 9. Recommendations 142. The Committee recommends that the necessary steps be taken to ensure that torture, as defined in article 1 of the Convention, is effectively prosecuted and appropriately sanctioned and that efforts be made to prevent other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. 143. The Committee recommends that continued efforts be made to ensure that the Independent Police Complaints Council becomes a statutory body, with increased competence. 144. The Committee recommends the continuation and intensification of preventive measures, including training for law enforcement officials. 145. The Committee recommends that laws and practices relating to refugees be brought into full conformity with article 3 of the Convention. K. Paraguay 146. The Committee considered the third periodic report of Paraguay (CAT/C/49/Add.1) at its 418th, 421st and 425th meetings, held on 5, 8 and 10 May 2000 (CAT/C/SR.418, 421 and 425) and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations. 1. Introduction 147. The third periodic report of Paraguay, submitted within the time-limit provided for in article 19 of the Convention, was not in conformity with the general guidelines regarding form and contents adopted by the Committee at its twentieth session. 148. During the introduction of the report and in response to the comments and views of the members of the Committee, the representatives of Paraguay provided comprehensive information which partially made up for the report's shortcomings. 2. 149. Positive aspects The Committee notes with satisfaction: (a) The entry into force of the new Penal Code and the gradual application of the changes introduced by the new Code of Criminal Procedure, whose enforcement should enable the State party better to fulfil its obligations under the Convention; (b) The innovations introduced by the new Penal Code, including the extension of its application to the punishment of acts committed abroad against rights which are universally protected under an international treaty, a provision which is in keeping with article 5 of the Convention; (c) The exclusion of the probative value of any statement which is contrary to procedural guarantees provided for in the Constitution and in international law, as required by the new Code of Criminal Procedure, thus giving national courts binding jurisdiction, in accordance with article 15 of the Convention; 27