A/HRC/16/48 investigation effectively, including powers to compel attendance of witnesses and production of relevant documents and to make immediate on-site visits”. This authority should also have the power to have full access to the archives of the State. After the investigations have been completed, the archives of the said authority should be preserved and made fully accessible to the public. 10. Finally, the right to the truth also ensures that the State has an obligation to provide the necessary protection and assistance to victims, witnesses and other interested persons. The search for truth often provokes perpetrators and others, who may attempt to prevent the truth from being discovered by threatening or even attacking persons participating in an investigation. Thus, the State has an obligation to provide for effective protection of interested parties. Paragraph 3 of Article 13 is very clear when it states that “[s]teps shall be taken to ensure that all involved in the investigation, including the complainant, counsel, witnesses and those conducting the investigation, are protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal.” In particular, the State may set up a witness protection programme through an independent institution.” III. Information concerning enforced or involuntary disappearances in various countries and territories reviewed by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances Afghanistan Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review: 0 Cases clarified during the period under review: 0 Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review Cases sent under Cases sent the urgent action under the procedure standard procedure Government Non-governmental sources 3 0 0 0 0 Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review 3 Number of cases on which the Government has replied Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule) 0 0 N/A Urgent Appeal N/A Government response N/A General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A 40. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and regrettably no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in document E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr. 1. 17