E/CN.4/1998/38 page 7 stuffed in his mouth after which large quantities of dirty water and chemicals are poured into his mouth; “chalumeau”, whereby a torch is used for inflicting burns on the body; electric shocks to sensitive parts of the body; tying a rope around the penis and/or testicles or placing the genitals between drawers; beatings; burnings by cigarettes; insertion of objects or glue into the anus; and suspension. Information had also been received alleging that persons had been subjected to rape, pumping of salt water into the stomach sometimes reportedly leading to death, boring of holes in limbs or breaking of them. Detainees were further said often to be blindfolded during prison transfers and sometimes also during interrogation and the initial period of detention. 15. Independent medical supervision during incommunicado detention, but also thereafter, had allegedly frequently been denied. If a medical examination took place, it was reportedly often carried out after a delay and by a Government-appointed doctor. Some detainees had reportedly died in detention as a result of torture. 16. Since 1992, the authorities had reportedly not carried out any official judicial investigations into allegations of torture and ill-treatment and preventive measures had allegedly not been taken. Confessions obtained under duress were said to have been used as evidence in court. Furthermore, no independent human rights or humanitarian organization was reportedly able to carry out private interviews with detainees in prison. 17. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted four individual cases. In addition, he sent an urgent appeal on behalf of one person, and received a reply from the Government. In his letter of 17 November 1997, the Special Rapporteur also requested the Government’s agreement on the possibility of a visit to the country, in order to enable him to better fulfil his mandate. Observations 18. In the light of the information before the Special Rapporteur and of preliminary contacts with the Permanent Mission, he has reason to hope that the Government will see fit to extend to him an invitation to visit the country in the coming year. Argentina 19. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government information received on the treatment to which a group of prisoners in the Persons on Charge Unit (Unidad de Encausados) of the city of Córdoba had allegedly been subjected. Armenia 20. The Special Rapporteur transmitted 6 newly reported cases, some of them collective, concerning 11 individuals and a number of unnamed persons. He also retransmitted the cases sent by the Special Rapporteur in 1996 to which no reply had been received.