A/HRC/32/22 society, with a resulting positive impact on the effective enjoyment and better protection of human rights of the population. 6. Measures undertaken included the adoption of a law on ethics in the exercise of the public function; instructions to strengthen the effectiveness of criminal investigations and procedures, including the freezing, seizure and confiscation of proceeds of corruption; and institutional measures to strengthen capacity and cooperation in specific areas such as corruption in the security forces, asset recovery, economic investigations, financial analysis and administrative investigations. Austria 7. The Government of Austria underlined the importance of specialized knowledge and competence of judges and prosecutors in commercial and business law for effectively combating corruption. Tailored training courses were offered to judges and prosecutors in this regard. Human rights were also part of the judicial training. 8. With regard to the protection of human rights while combating corruption, the Government drew attention to the regulation of forfeiture of assets acquired for or through the commission of an offence, notably to the grounds for exclusion from forfeiture with regard to third persons and with regard to the person concerned if the objective could be achieved by less intrusive means. 9. It listed a number of human rights guarantees that applied in criminal prosecution of corruption cases, including the principles of objectivity and truth seeking; legality and proportionality; the right to a fair hearing; the need for expeditiousness; victim participation; and the right to a public hearing. 10. With regard to the protection of victims, the Government referred to the right of victims not to testify and to give evidence anonymously. It also shared information on its leniency programme and on an Internet-based anonymous system for reporting suspicions of corruption. 11. Austria’s national anti-corruption authority shared information on its efforts to protect human rights in cases of reporting suspicions of corruption, cooperation with the competent authorities and prevention of corruption. It noted that human rights violations resulting from corruption-related offences could lead not only to criminal proceedings, but could also be brought before the Constitutional Court. A human rights perspective on corruption focused on the victim. Victims’ access to court in corruption cases, including alleged human rights violations resulting from corruption, could be a powerful tool in preventing corruption. 12. Several national human rights mechanisms played an indirect role in combating corruption in Austria. The Austrian Ombudsman Board, for example, could receive complaints of alleged human rights violations. Alleged human rights violations caused by corruption could also be raised with the national prevention mechanism. 13. As part of its efforts to prevent corruption, the national anti-corruption authority provided training and education, including information on the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights. The authority maintained contact and exchanged information on the prevention of corruption and human rights with national human rights institutions and civil society organizations. Austria was developing a network of integrity officers to promote ethical, human rights-compliant behaviour in the public administration. 14. Civil servants who reported in good faith well-founded suspicions of a criminal offence were legally protected against discrimination by their employer. A reporting office treated allegations of corruption and abuse of authority confidentially; reporting persons 3