(k) To become parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as a matter of priority as well as to give early consideration to signing and ratifying its Optional Protocol and, once parties, to designate or establish truly independent and effective national preventive mechanisms; 7. Reminds States that: (a) Corporal punishment, including of children, can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or even to torture; (b) Intimidation and coercion, as described in article 1 of the Convention against Torture, including serious and credible threats, as well as death threats, to the physical integrity of the victim or of a third person, can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or to torture; (c) Prolonged incommunicado detention or detention in secret places may facilitate the perpetration of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and can in itself constitute a form of such treatment, and urges all States to respect the safeguards concerning the liberty, security and the dignity of the person; 8. Welcomes the reports of the Committee against Torture, submitted in accordance with article 24 of the Convention; 9. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and calls upon the Board of the Fund to report to the Council in accordance with the annual programme of work; 10. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure, within the overall budgetary framework of the United Nations, the provision of an adequate and stable level of staffing, as well as the necessary technical facilities for the bodies and mechanisms involved in combating torture and assisting victims of torture, in order to ensure their effective performance commensurate with the strong support expressed by Member States for combating torture and assisting victims of torture;