A/HRC/44/47 emerging, specialist programmes are required that incorporate a human rights-based approach. Such programmes must also ensure that prosecutors and their staff are able to use the tools they need to achieve high standards in investigative outcomes and to increase the number of substantive and procedural outcomes and of solid investigations in which respect for human rights standards and due process is guaranteed in the collection of evidence. 59. Lastly, owing to new trends in information technology, programmes aimed at prosecutors and their staff must be implemented. It is essential that they are up to date in the use of technologies and tools employed in criminal investigations, especially those used by experts in prosecution services to obtain scientific evidence. V. Good practices and ongoing challenges for public prosecution services in the area of cooperation and the fight against corruption A. Landmark cases involving international cooperation 60. Based on the information received, the Special Rapporteur has taken note of sustainable actions and policies that have given rise to good practices and sometimes led to success both in cooperation during investigations and in the prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators. 61. Recently, coordinated efforts by public prosecution services in different countries have produced significant results in the fight against transnational corruption by making use of mutual legal assistance and, occasionally, by conducting joint investigations. This light at the end of the tunnel must be harnessed to guide the expansion of such practices, which promote the exercise of those obligations and powers set forth in the Convention designed to protect those whose rights have been affected. 62. The investigation in the “Lava Jato” case, for example, which involved offences allegedly committed by Brazilian construction companies in Latin America and other regions, is an emblematic and ongoing example of effective international judicial cooperation between judges and prosecutors from a number of States and territories. The fact that there has been effective cooperation between prosecution services in different countries and territories in investigating corruption on different continents is a milestone in itself. In addition to joint investigations, the substantive progress resulting from such cooperation has also led to initiatives to encourage plea bargaining in return for information. 63. As of September 2019, the Brazilian judiciary, for example, had sent 384 requests for cooperation to 61 countries. Conversely, Brazil and its prosecutorial and judicial institutions had received 497 requests for information and cooperation from 39 countries or territories, including 191 from Peru and 110 from Switzerland. The majority of the requests made by Brazil were submitted to Switzerland and the United States of America. As a result, valuable information was obtained on financial and banking movements involving money obtained unlawfully, that is, on the connections used in transnational corruption processes as a whole.43 64. Some prosecution services also mentioned the positive impact of assistance on their efforts to fight corruption, mainly with regard to the exchange of information and the coordination of administrative measures during the course of investigations in other regions. For example, following international cooperation between Oman and Switzerland in 2019, the Swiss authorities provided assistance that enabled Oman to recover seized assets that had been obtained through bribery and money-laundering.44 43 44 GE.20-04343 Legal Adviser to the International Cooperation Unit of the Attorney General’s Office of Brazil, September 2019. Questionnaire sent by Oman to the Special Rapporteur in response to the request made to countries for the preparation of the present report. 11