A/HRC/43/74 noted an overall reduction in the percentage of conflict-related detainees, who gave credible reports of torture and ill-treatment in the custody of the Afghan national security forces, from 39 per cent during the previous reporting period of 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016 to 31.9 per cent. The decrease was attributed to concerted advocacy and technical support by UNAMA/OHCHR, which also led to the adoption of specific measures by the Government, including the implementation of the national action plan on the elimination of torture and the enactment of a national framework for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. 36. In June, the Afghan National Army closed the block dedicated to solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure at its facility in Parwan. In the above-mentioned report, UNAMA/OHCHR had raised concern about the use of solitary confinement as the sole disciplinary measure in the facility. 37. UNAMA/OHCHR continued to monitor detention across the country, conducting 499 interviews in places of detention nationwide by 30 November. In 2019, it began to compile data on respect for and fulfilment of procedural safeguards critical to the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, such as informing persons deprived of their liberty about their rights, access to lawyers, contact with families, and medical checks upon arrival at detention facilities. A preliminary analysis of the data collected between January and September 2019 indicated that, generally, respect for and fulfilment of such safeguards remained very weak in National Directorate of Security and Afghan National Police facilities. 38. UNAMA/OHCHR notes the important role played by internal monitoring mechanisms, such as the human rights officers of the National Directorate of Security. The Office of the Attorney General also plays a significant preventive role through its Detention Monitoring Directorate and by ensuring accountability through its Anti-Torture Commission. The Commission, an inter-agency entity established under the 2018 anti-torture law and comprising members of key security agencies, including from the National Directorate of Security and the Ministry of Interior Affairs, has also started its operations. 39. Despite the State’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture in April 2018, the Government is yet to take any concrete step to establish a national preventive mechanism. UNAMA/OHCHR continued to advocate for its creation. 40. UNAMA/OHCHR are also concerned at allegations of torture and ill-treatment of persons in the custody of anti-government elements. In May 2019, UNAMA released a press statement expressing its grave concern about credible accounts of the Taliban subjecting detainees to ill-treatment and torture, and allegations that some detainees were killed. Reportedly, the detainees were also held incommunicado, in poor conditions, in underground facilities.6 VI. Death penalty 41. The revised Penal Code has significantly reduced the number of crimes punishable by death, and available information indicates that no executions were held in 2019. At the time of writing, however, some 700 people were reported to be on death row, including about 100 convicted of crimes against internal and external security. UNAMA/OHCHR continued to advocate for the Government to implement a formal moratorium on the death penalty and for compliance with fair trial guarantees, in accordance with international and national law. 6 https://unama.unmissions.org/un-grave-concern-about-accounts-taliban-ill-treatment-detainees. 7