A/HRC/19/49 the Conakry Court of Appeal and were provided with a platoon of gendarmes for their security. However, concerns remain about the security of victims and witnesses. 27. In May 2011, the Minister for Justice informed OHCHR that the judges had interviewed numerous victims, including survivors of rape and other sexual violence, and had heard several witnesses. To date, 191 victims have filed civil claims before the panel and nearly 100 more are expected to join soon. Counsels for civil claimants have pointed to difficulties regarding access to investigation files. While the Code of Criminal Procedure states that investigation files are to be made available to counsel for the parties, and it is usual practice in Guinea to provide a copy of the preliminary investigation file, access to the files for civil party litigation teams in this case was restricted by the investigating team. . 28. Five people are currently in custody and a sixth has been placed under judicial supervision;3 however, the people named in the final report of the International Commission of Inquiry as having criminal responsibility have yet to be prosecuted; indeed, some of them still hold office. V. Administration of justice 29. In her previous report, the High Commissioner highlighted the challenges faced by the judicial system in Guinea, including understaffing, the shortage of trained personnel and resources and the lack of independence and corruption. The Government of Guinea made some efforts to address these challenges in 2011. In March, the Government organized a national consultative workshop to assess the judicial system. Participants in the workshop recommended, inter alia, an increase in the budget of the Ministry of Justice, the institution of a proper national school for the judiciary and the establishment of a high judicial council. In June 2011, the Minister for Justice issued several decrees appointing current and 38 new magistrates to courts in Conakry and in the interior of the country. This reorganization of magistrates coupled with an increase in staff is a positive step towards the strengthening of the administration of justice. 30. The European Union and other development partners have provided some funds to assist the Ministry of Justice to start implementing the recommendations made at the workshop by improving Ministry infrastructure and facilities. VI. Other initiatives and reforms A. Transitional justice process 31. The Government identified national reconciliation as a priority. In his inaugural speech, the President pledged to organize a conference on national reconciliation. Although there is general consensus that Guineans desire national reconciliation, there is no consensus on the form that it should take. Initial consultations carried out by the Conseil économique et social with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund indicate that Guineans are divided about the process along ethnic and political lines. While some would like a comprehensive process dealing with all human rights violations since the country’s 3 See International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Commemoration of 28 September massacre overshadowed by political tension, note return mission to Guinea-Conakry, September 2011. Available from www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/note_guinee_28092011_en.pdf. 9