CAT/C/JOR/CO/2 impartiality are jeopardized by this system and that the procedures in the special courts are not always consistent with fair trial standards (arts. 2 and 12). With reference to its previous recommendation (A/50/44, para. 175), the Committee calls on the State party to take immediate steps to ensure that the functioning of the State Security Court and other special courts are brought into full conformity with the provisions of the Convention and international standards for courts of law and, in particular, that accused persons are granted the right to appeal against decisions of the Court; alternatively, the State party should abolish such special courts. Monitoring and inspection of places of detention 15. The Committee appreciates the information from the representatives of the State party that a number of bodies, including the National Centre for Human Rights, the Grievances and Human Rights Office of the Public Security Department, some international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the International Committee of the Red Cross perform periodic and regular visits to investigation and detention centres and rehabilitation facilities. However, it is concerned at the lack of systematic and effective monitoring and inspection of all places of detention, especially the facilities of the General Intelligence Directorate, and is concerned that visits to such places by national monitors, including the National Centre for Human Rights, have to be announced and carried out in response to prior requests, often accompanied by representatives of the Public Security Department following the memorandum of understanding concluded between the two institutions in March 2009. The Committee is also concerned that the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment was reportedly denied access to such facilities during his visit to Jordan in June 2006 (arts. 2, 11 and 16). The Committee calls upon the State party to establish a national system to effectively monitor and inspect all places of detention, including the facilities of the General Intelligence Directorate, and follow up to ensure systematic monitoring. This system should include regular and unannounced visits by national and international monitors, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. General Intelligence Directorate 16. Further to the Committee’s previous concluding observations (A/50/44, para. 168), it expresses its concern at reports of torture and ill-treatment in the facilities of the General Intelligence Directorate and remains concerned that the General Intelligence Directorate continues to detain suspects arbitrarily and incommunicado, often for prolonged periods of time, and that detainees are reportedly deprived of access to judges, lawyers or doctors (arts. 2, 11 and 16). The Committee calls upon the State party to place all State security departments, and primarily the General Intelligence Department, under civilian authority and oversight, to establish an independent audit of these services, to limit the powers of the Directorate and to ensure separation of powers, in law and practice, between the authorities responsible for detention of suspects and those responsible for preliminary investigations. Anti-terrorism measures 17. Recalling the absolute prohibition of torture, the Committee is concerned that the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2006 has a vague and overly broad definition of “terrorist activities”. It is also concerned at the reported enhancement of the already excessive powers of the security officers (arts. 2 and 16). 6