A/HRC/7/4 page 15 2. Follow-up to country visits of the Working Group 27. In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group decided in 1998 to address a follow-up letter to the Governments of the countries it visited, together with a copy of the relevant recommendations adopted by the Group contained in the reports on its country visits.8 28. In 2007, communications were addressed to the Governments of Canada and South Africa requesting information on such initiatives as the authorities might have taken to give effect to the recommendations contained in the Group’s reports to the Commission on its visits to these countries in 2005.9 During 2006, communications were also addressed to the Governments of Belarus and Latvia. 29. In 2007 the Working Group received replies from the Governments of Belarus and Latvia. In a note verbale dated 6 February 2007, the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva submitted information on the implementation of the Working Group’s recommendations after its visit to the country in August 2004. In a note verbale dated 10 January 2007, the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations Office at Geneva submitted a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group pursuant to its visit to Latvia in February 2004. The Working Group wishes to express its appreciation for the comprehensive responses provided by the two Governments. Both Governments went to great trouble to provide detailed comments on each recommendation the Working Group had made in its reports on these country visits, a methodology welcomed by the Working Group. Belarus 30. In response to the recommendation relating to the conditions of pretrial detention, the Government informed the Working Group that the National Programme for the Enhancement of the Penal Correction System on the Ministry of Internal Affairs (2006-2010) was approved by Decision No. 1564 of the Council of Ministers of 29 December 2005 and is currently being implemented. This programme specifies arrangements for the construction of short-stay prisons within correctional institutions and remand centres (SIZO). This will address the problem of overcrowding in such facilities, as well as improving conditions of detention. 31. The Government also informed the Working Group that the Code on the Judicial System and the Status of Judges was adopted on 29 June 2006 and entered into force on 13 January 2007. This enactment defines the legal framework of the judicial system and the status of judges in Belarus, the functions and jurisdiction of the courts, measures to safeguard judicial independence, and the rights and duties of judges. 32. The Government further reported that the powers of defence counsel in criminal proceedings have been significantly broadened. Defence counsel has the right of access to all 8 E/CN.4/1999/63, para. 36. 9 E/CN.4/2006/7/Add.2 and 3.