A/HRC/7/4 page 26 Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, India, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Turkmenistan. The Working Group decided during its fiftieth session to request invitations for a visit to Egypt, Malaysia, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. 76. The Working Group further discusses several issues which have given rise to concern during the period reported upon and addresses recommendations to States. Concerning the detention of non-citizens, the Working Group identifies several shortcomings it has observed in connection with detention of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants. It calls upon States to make use of detention only as a last resort and to explore alternatives to detention. 77. The Working Group deplores the situation of vulnerable groups in detention susceptible to sexual abuse by co-inmates and correctional services staff. It reminds States of their duty to protect and the necessity of a functioning penitentiary system, with well-trained staff to prevent such abuses and no impunity from prosecution. 78. In view of events throughout 2007, the Working Group reiterates its concerns over deprivation of liberty occurring during states of emergency and over recourse to military, special or emergency courts, especially in the context of countering terrorism, and recalls some of the applicable international human rights norms and standards which must be adhered to at all times. 79. Finally, the Working Group, drawing on its experience, emphasizes the necessity of having a proper registration system in place in every detention facility to safeguard against arbitrary deprivation of liberty. The Working Group stresses that the time limit for pretrial detention should be established by law and that, upon expiry of this time limit or of a term of imprisonment, prison authorities should be competent and obliged to release detainees or prisoners automatically without specific authorization by another State authority. V. RECOMMENDATIONS Detention of non-citizens 80. Regarding detention of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants, the Working Group addresses the following recommendations to States: (a) The Working Group considers that an in-depth and urgent deliberation by the Human Rights Council is required to seek effective alternatives to prevent violations of rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affecting the large numbers of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants in detention around the world, in view of their specific vulnerability. To that effect a seminar with the participation of all stakeholders involved should be organized under the auspices of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; (b) The Working Group requests States to use detention of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants only as a last resort, and encourages them to explore alternatives to detention, such as supervised release, release on bail, designated residence or regular reporting to authorities.