A/HRC/13/30 of 8 to 13 July 2007.17 It noted that, in order to protect freedom of opinion and expression, the registration of political parties, non-governmental organizations and other civil society organizations had been facilitated and the corresponding legal procedures simplified. A new Organic Law on the Judiciary was adopted by parliament in May 2009 to protect and improve its independence and to allow for the development of academic and professional competencies and skills to gain access to and obtain promotions within the judiciary. The Superior Council of the Judiciary had been strengthened. The Organic Law also established the institution of the “Judge on Execution of Sentences” to improve prison conditions and the legal situation of prisoners. A new Penal Code had been drafted, in conformity with the principles and norms enshrined in the Fundamental Law (Constitution). The Government had also decided to amend the Penal Procedure Code, the Military Penal Code and the Minors Act and to draft a new Law on the Constitutional Court. The publication of laws and decrees in the Official State Bulletin had been strengthened through the allocation of new national budget resources. 44. A new Institute of Judicial Practice had been established as an autonomous entity of public law to improve the training and skills of all those participating in the judicial process. The public prisons of Bata, Evinayong and Malabo had been rebuilt or refurbished and new central police stations in Bata and Malabo had been built. Detention centres for minors were being built in Evinayong and in the Riaba District. The national budget resources allocated to prisoners and detainees had increased in 2008–2009 by 700 per cent. Mr. Juan Ondo Abaga, whose detention and possible enforced disappearance had been considered by the Working Group, had been granted a presidential pardon and released. 3. Future country missions 45. The Working Group reiterates its concern in relation to the limitation on the number and length of the visits it is able to conduct each year. Two country visits per year, each limited to a maximum of eight working days, as in 2009, are insufficient for an adequate discharge of the mandate. The Working Group conducted three visits in 2004, two in 2005, four in 2006, three in 2007, and four in 2008. Country visits are of great importance to the victims of arbitrary detention. 46. To verify implementation of its recommendations, the Working Group should also be in a position to undertake follow-up visits. They are essential to the mandate, as they are the only means of assessing and monitoring in situ the situation of personal liberty in various countries. 47. The Working Group reiterates its call to the Human Rights Council to take into account the fact that it comprises five members. To best make use of its potential and enable it to discharge its mandate more effectively, the Human Rights Council is requested to provide additional funds for the Working Group to be able to conduct at least five country visits per year and relevant follow-up visits within an appropriate time frame. C. Other activities Detention of drug users 48. At its fifty-fourth session, the Working Group decided to globally study in more detail the issue of detention of drug users. To prepare a more systematic thematic consideration of the issue, on 15 June 2009 it addressed a questionnaire to all Member States for response by 14 August 2009. 17 GE.10-10294 A/HRC/7/4/Add.3. 15