A/HRC/32/22 access to information, witness and whistle-blower protection, an effective, independent and impartial judiciary, transparency of political party financing and coordination mechanisms. Hungary 40. The Government of Hungary pointed out that the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights posed complex problems. Besides numerous efforts to suppress corruption and to recover the proceeds of corruption, the Government described a number of examples where human rights considerations were particularly relevant, including legal guarantees in the context of special investigative techniques and in the context of confiscation procedures. It also highlighted the importance of judicial integrity and of an effective witness protection programme, which included not only witnesses but also victims, and their representatives, experts, interpreters and family members. 41. The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights operates an electronic system for secure reporting of suspicions of corruption. During the inspection of places of detention and prisons, special care was taken to identify possible illicit relationships between prisoners and prison personnel and to corruption in connection with alleged ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. Ireland 42. The Government of Ireland drew attention to the negative direct and indirect impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights. In order to better combat corruption while at the same time safeguarding human rights, Ireland sought to provide greater clarity with regard to some corruption offences but also to ensure that penalties were proportionate to the damage of corruption to society. 43. The Government shared information on its whistle-blower protection system, which extended beyond its borders. Whistle-blowers abroad could report suspected corruption offences to diplomatic and consular officers or members of law enforcement of the State concerned. 44. While the Irish national human rights institution was not specifically mandated to deal with corruption, its mandate to promote and protect human rights encompassed corruption where it affected human rights. An example of an activity in that regard was the observations of the institution on draft whistle-blower legislation. 45. The Government was of the view that national human rights institutions and regional networks of national human rights institutions were well placed to assess the implications of corruption on human rights, the rule of law, democracy and economic freedom and to work together with national Governments for improved governance and improved functioning of public institutions and the market. Malta 46. The Government of Malta stressed that preventive measures were among the most effective means of countering corruption and avoiding its negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights. Malta called for a stronger focus on the rights of victims of corruption and on States’ responsibility to combat corruption in order to meet their obligations to promote and protect human rights. 47. Reforms aiming at greater transparency were therefore important for combating corruption. Malta had adopted several legislative and institutional steps in that regard, including a code of ethics, a freedom of information act and whistle-blower protection. 48. The Government also reported on challenges that required further action, such as the lack of a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the code of ethics, to verify 7