CAT/C/SLV/CO/2 border police on the causes, consequences and repercussions of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. The Committee further recommends that the State party increase its efforts to establish systems and mechanisms of international, regional and bilateral cooperation with the countries of origin, transit and destination in order to prevent, investigate and punish cases of human trafficking. 13. The principle of “non-refoulement” 25. The Committee regrets the complaints alleging a systematic failure to comply with the principle of “non-refoulement” and with the right of access to due process and information for refugees and potential asylum-seekers, and the failure to provide proper safeguards against persons being placed at risk when returned to their country of origin. It further regrets the inadequacy of the mechanisms enabling the immigration authorities to establish that a person runs the risk of being tortured on return to his or her country of origin. The Committee further notes with concern the allegations of discriminatory treatment of asylum-seekers by the authorities of the State party (arts. 3 and 6). The State party should adopt administrative and legislative measures to ensure respect for due process in the procedures for deciding on refugee status or deportation, with particular regard to the right of defence and the requirement that a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees be present. It also recommends the introduction of training programmes on international humanitarian law applicable to refugees, with emphasis on the content and scope of the principle of non-refoulement, for immigration police and administrative officials responsible for deciding on refugee status and deportation. 14. Office of the National Counsel for the Defence of Human Rights 26. The Committee welcomes the increase in the budget of the Office of the National Counsel for the Defence of Human Rights, and the improved dialogue between the Office and the current Government. However, the Committee notes that this budget is still inadequate. It regrets the allegations of interference with the work of this national human rights institution and the threats that have occurred during its investigations of some incidents (art. 2). The Committee reminds the State party of the importance of the work of the national human rights institution and urges the State party to protect its activities and provide adequate funding. It also recommends that it give adequate follow-up to the recommendations of the Office of the Counsel for the Defence of Human Rights and that the link between its activities, its complaints procedures and other official monitoring mechanisms should be strengthened so as to ensure that the problems encountered are effectively addressed. 15. Human rights defenders 27. The Committee is concerned about reports of acts of harassment and death threats aimed at human rights defenders, and about the fact that such acts remain unpunished (art. 2). The State party should adopt effective measures to combat harassment and death threats aimed at human rights defenders and prevent any further violence against them. Furthermore, the State party should ensure the prompt, thorough and effective investigation of such acts and the appropriate punishment of the perpetrators. 8 GE.09-46812