A/HRC/18/21 83. Accountability and an end to corruption are major challenges in Yemen. The Mission is especially concerned that in the eyes of many Yemenis the judiciary lacks credibility and legitimacy. 84. The Mission is of the view that calls for investigations and prosecutions will be undermined unless urgent measures are taken to ensure the independence and integrity of the judiciary and to provide it with sufficient resources. This includes empowering the judiciary to exercise its oversight role vis-à-vis all security organs and their places of detention. 85. Other measures will also be necessary to help restore citizens’ trust in the State and to re-establish the rule of law in the country. These measures include the need to institute national reparations programmes for victims and institutional and legal reform programmes with particular emphasis on the security sector. 86. Based on the Mission’s conclusions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights makes the following recommendations. The successful implementation of these recommendations may require technical and financial support from the international community. Such support must take full account of the aspirations of the Yemeni people, and must be aligned with Yemen’s efforts to build a State that is inclusive, accountable, democratic and equitable. 87. Additionally, given the lack of confidence in the judiciary to conduct impartial investigations into human rights abuses related to the peaceful protest movement, there is a need for international, independent and impartial investigations to be conducted. 88. The Government of Yemen should: Take immediate action to end attacks against civilians and civilian targets by security forces, in full compliance with Yemen’s obligations under international human rights law. In particular, firearms and lethal force should only be used as a last resort when lives are under direct threat; Immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression and assembly, and who have not been charged with any criminal offence; issue an official list containing the names of all those who have been arrested and charged with criminal offences in relation to recent demonstrations, including details about the dates of their arrest, places of detention, and charges against them; take immediate measures to ensure that all persons detained on criminal charges are afforded all fair trial guarantees from the moment of their detention, including the rights to be informed of the charges against them, to have prompt access to a lawyer, to notify a relative regarding their detention and to appear before a judge within a reasonable period of time, in accordance with international standards. Access by prosecutors to all places of detention should be guaranteed; Launch transparent and independent investigations, in line with relevant international standards, into credible allegations of serious human rights violations committed by Government security forces, including, but not limited to, the killing of civilians, excessive use of force against civilians, arbitrary detention, torture and ill treatment; ensure that perpetrators are held accountable; Provide reparation to victims and/or families who have suffered harm, including, but not limited to, death or physical injury as a result of unlawful acts committed by Government security forces or their affiliates; 17