A/67/44 safe complaints mechanism, insufficient number of interpreters, and a lack of trust in authorities. The Committee further regrets the increase in manifestations of xenophobic and racist attacks against foreign nationals, irrespective of their status, including by citizens’ groups and far-right groups, according to findings of the quasi-official Racist Violence Recording Network. Furthermore, the Committee notes with concern that the Muslim minority in Thrace is the only recognized minority group in the country (arts. 2, 12 and 16). The State party should strongly combat the increasing manifestations of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related violence, including by publicly condemning all such intolerance and motivated violence and sending a clear and unambiguous message that racist or discriminatory acts, including by police and other public officials, are unacceptable, and by prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of such acts. The State party should also take effective measures to prevent discrimination against and ensure protection of all minorities, recognized or not, in accordance with the Committee’s general comment No. 2 (2007) on implementation of article 2 by States parties. Such measures include an increase in the recruitment from the minorities to the public administration, including law enforcement agencies. Prompt, impartial and effective investigations (13) While noting the establishment of an Office, within the Ministry of Citizen’s Protection, responsible for addressing allegations of arbitrariness against law enforcement personnel, the Committee expresses its concern at information that the Office is not yet operational, that its mandate is reportedly limited to ruling on the admissibility of complaints and that cases will be transferred to the relevant disciplinary bodies of the security forces for further investigation. The Committee thus remains concerned at the lack of an effective independent system to investigate complaints of torture, ill-treatment or excessive use of force and it is concerned at the deficiencies in according protection from ill-treatment or intimidation to victims as a consequence of filing a complaint or giving evidence (arts. 12 and 13). The State party should: (a) Strengthen existing mechanisms for monitoring and oversight of the police and other public officials, including by establishing a reliable, independent and accessible complaints system to undertake prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of torture, ill-treatment or excessive use of force; (b) Certify that all such allegations are recorded in writing, that a forensic medical examination is immediately ordered, and that the necessary steps are taken to ensure that the allegations are properly investigated. Such an approach should be followed whether or not the person concerned bears visible external injuries; (c) Ensure that, in cases of alleged torture, suspects are suspended from duty immediately for the duration of the investigation, particularly if there is a risk that they might otherwise be in a position to repeat the alleged act or to obstruct the investigation; (d) Take effective measures to ensure that all persons reporting acts of torture or ill-treatment are accorded adequate protection. Conditions of detention (14) The Committee reiterates its serious concern at the failure of the State party’s authorities to improve the conditions of detention in its police stations and prisons. The Committee is particularly concerned that the level of prison overcrowding, despite some improvements in certain facilities, remains alarming. The Committee also expresses its serious concern at the deplorable material and sanitary conditions in many police stations GE.12-44492 143