A/HRC/14/26 this aspect, particular attention should be given to the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Conduct. 75. Particular emphasis should also be given to the training of judges and lawyers on general issues of the rule of law. Sessions on the duty to combat and prevent impunity should be given specific emphasis. J. An independent and informed judiciary to strengthen access to justice 76. Access to justice should not be understood exclusively as access to the judiciary. It also means access to less formal types of institutions and mechanisms such as national human rights institutions, ombudsmen, conciliators and mediators able to assist people to claim their rights. Vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, including members of minority groups, are generally deprived of access to justice owing to poverty, illiteracy, lack of education or discrimination. 77. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers should be educated in ways to combat this phenomenon and to guarantee the access to justice and protection of disadvantaged groups. They should receive awareness training on the special needs of disadvantaged groups, including rural women, indigenous people, Afro-descendants, members of minorities and the illiterate. K. Need for an international conference 78. If the objective of strong judiciaries and independent and impartial judges and lawyers with a sound training in international human rights is to be achieved, it will be necessary to further investigate the existing educational options, projects and programmes. The problem should be tackled in two stages: firstly, a definitive thematic study conducted on a scientific basis of human rights education and the continuous training of magistrates, judges, prosecutors, public defenders and lawyers should be carried out at the international level to assess the current situation. 79. This would provide a scientific basis for the second stage, which would be an international conference on how human rights education and training for the legal professions is to be provided. Among the objectives of the proposed international conference would be to identify means and mechanisms to enhance the continuing human rights education of judges in order to improve the work of courts and tribunals and the role of lawyers in the vindication of human rights and the provision of justice. The conference would also allow discussion on how international human rights law can be more effectively used by judges and national courts at all levels. Authorities from the judiciaries and attorneys’ general or prosecutors’ offices, representatives of associations of magistrates, judges and lawyers and members of the civil society could jointly identify the internal and structural features of judicial systems that affect their capacities to implement international and regional standards on human rights. 80. The proposed global thematic study and the conclusions of the international conference could be taken into consideration in the development of new guidelines for the continuing international human rights education of judges, prosecutors and lawyers. 16 GE.10-12622