A/HRC/32/19 intimidation and reprisals, and compliance with those procedures is properly monitored and evaluated. 7.2 Systems are in place to ensure that enforcement agency employees are aware of and take proper account of issues relating to gender, vulnerability and/or marginalization in their dealings with relevant individuals and groups. Policy objective 8: Enforcement agencies are able to take decisions independently in accordance with publicly available policies, without the risk of political interference in their operations, and to high ethical standards. 8.1 Enforcement agencies have the ability and independence, in law and in practice, to commence an investigation into and take enforcement action with respect to allegations of business-related human rights abuses at their own initiative and without the need for a formal complaint by or on behalf of an affected person or group. 8.2 Employees of enforcement agencies are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct and laws, and standards relating to legal ethics, conflicts of interest, bribery and corruption are rigorously enforced. Cooperation in cross-border cases Policy objective 9: Enforcement agencies and judicial bodies can readily and rapidly seek legal assistance and respond to requests from their counterparts in other States with respect to the detection, investigation, prosecution and enforcement of crossborder cases concerning business involvement in severe human rights abuses. 9.1 The State sets out a clear policy expectation that enforcement agencies and judicial bodies will be appropriately responsive to requests from the relevant agencies of other States in cross-border cases. 9.2 The State ensures that appropriate bilateral and multilateral arrangements are in place to enable enforcement agencies and judicial bodies to request mutual legal assistance from relevant counterparts in other States in cross-border cases. 9.3 The State enables its enforcement agencies, where appropriate, to carry out crossborder investigations and prosecutions through joint investigation teams or other similar arrangements. 9.4 The State ensures that its enforcement agencies and judicial bodies have access to the necessary information, support, training and resources to enable personnel to make the best use of arrangements with other States for cooperation in cross-border cases. 9.5 The State is actively involved with relevant bilateral and multilateral initiatives aimed at improving the ease with which and speed at which (a) requests for mutual legal assistance can be made and responded to; and (b) information can be exchanged between enforcement agencies and/or judicial bodies in cross-border cases, including through information repositories that provide clarity on points of contact, core process requirements and systems for updates on outstanding requests. 9.6 Enforcement agencies and judicial bodies support and encourage the involvement of their personnel in relevant bilateral and multilateral initiatives and networks aimed at (a) facilitating contact and exchange of know-how between counterparts in other States; and (b) promoting awareness of different opportunities and options for international cooperation and the provision of legal assistance in cross-border cases. 9.7 The State keeps under review the scope, adequacy and appropriateness of its arrangements for mutual legal assistance with other States in the light of relevant factors, 15