A/HRC/19/3 18. In 2011, the Law on the order and conditions of detention of suspects, accused and defendants was adopted, which regulates several important issues regarding places of detention, including the obligatory medical examination by medical officers in places of detention. In 2011, the financing of the penitentiary system was increased sixfold compared to 2004. Furthermore, a draft amendment to the Criminal Code was developed to introduce a separate article on torture, in line with article 1 of the Convention against Torture. 19. Since 2007, the Government has implemented judicial and legal reforms to improve laws and procedures regulating the justice system, with the aim of further strengthening the judiciary and the status of judges. 20. An effective legal framework to combat corruption has been established and the Government has taken comprehensive measures in this area, including the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the adoption of the Law and strategy on combating corruption and the establishment of the National Council on combating corruption. 21. Although results have been achieved, including the high level of ratification of international human rights and the moratorium on use of death penalty, the Government must still address a number of issues, including the difficulties relating to the process of transition from the planned economy to market relations, improving the living standards of the population and raising public awareness on human rights. In this respect, the Government would welcome the continued assistance of the international community to implement the Millennium Development Goals and improve the system of protection and promotion of human rights. 22. The delegation provided responses to a number of advanced questions, including those on the prohibition of torture and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The delegation stated that the Government has undertaken a number of measures to combat the use of torture. The law establishes criminal liability for the use of torture. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, evidence obtained during initial inquiries and pretrial investigations through the use of force, coercion, inhuman treatment or other illegal means is considered invalid and may not serve as a basis for a charge. In the past 8 months, the Prosecutor’s office initiated investigations into 16 out of 66 complaints received from individuals. Over 1,500 police officers were subject to disciplinary sanctions and some of them lost their job due to violations of freedom from torture. The Ombudsman also deals with the issue of the use of torture, which has also been discussed in a session of the National Security Council at the initiative of the President. Furthermore, as a preventive measure, seminars and training were organized for the judiciary, the Prosecutor’s office and law enforcement agencies. 23. The delegation stated that an inter-ministerial working group has been established to study the possibility of Tajikistan ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. A working group has also been established to introduce further improvements to the Criminal Code. In this respect, amendments have been drafted to introduce a definition of torture in line with the Convention. 24. In response to questions on the advancement of women’s role in society, the delegation informed that about 24 per cent of civil servants were women, and that 81 out of 381 judges were women. Training has been provided to women working in the central and local Government bodies. A gender network has been established for women involved in agriculture to assist and enhance their entrepreneurship, and a Presidential programme has been established to provide grants to women entrepreneurs. 25. With regard to questions about domestic violence, the delegation informed that there were legal services and hotlines available to support women and girls who were victims of domestic violence. As a result, over one hundred girls have received legal, psychological, 5