A/HRC/10/76 Page 23 public sector lawyers are allowed to inspect prisons at any time. Israeli prisons and the prison service are routinely subject to inspections by the State Comptroller. 95. Israel recognized that the process of interrogation must be subjected to scrupulous regulation and oversight. Following a landmark High Court of Justice ruling in 1999, the use of torture or any forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment is prohibited in interrogations. Israeli Security Agency interrogators must operate in accordance with detailed procedures, setting out permissible interrogation techniques, and are monitored by a complaints inspector, who operates independently and is also under the instruction and close guidance of a highranking attorney in the Ministry of Justice. Since October 2000, thousands of investigations have been conducted, and relatively few complaints have been filed, which if found to be justified, have resulted in measures against the investigator involved. 96. On the question from Cuba regarding the incident in Beit Hanoun in November 2006, Israel said the events were the subject of an extensive investigation led by an investigator with the rank of General and reviewed by the Military Advocate-General, and revealed that the damage was not intentional and was caused by a severe malfunction. New recommendations and procedures have been put in place to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. 97. On the question by Slovenia on conscientious objectors, the Supreme Court has affirmed that, where conscientious objection can be proved and is distinguished from political motivation or civil disobedience, exemption from army service must be granted. 98. Finally, Greece and Guatemala asked about steps to advance the status of women in public life. Israel said women’s equality has always clearly been part of public discourse. The enactment of the Equal Rights of Women Law in 1951, and amendments throughout the years, is a reflection of the commitment to improve women’s rights. Today, the Speaker of the Knesset, the President of the Supreme Court, three Government Ministers and five Directors-General in various Government ministries are women. There are 17 women in the Knesset. Approximately half of the senior positions in the civil service are held by women and the number of female judges continues to climb. 99. In his concluding remarks, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel expressed his appreciation for the comments, which reflected a thoughtful awareness of the complexity of many of the subjects. Israel will continue to explore ways to improve its human rights record, and remains open to dialogue both internally and bilaterally with other States, from whose experience Israel is pleased to learn. II. CONCLUSIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS 100. In the course of the discussion, the following recommendations were made to Israel to: 1. Continue its efforts to overcome constraints and difficulties in order to implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone (Burkina Faso); take all necessary measures to ensure that it fulfils all of its obligations under international human rights instruments, particularly the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with regard to the situation in Gaza (Ireland); 2. Evaluate the possibility of ratifying the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to abolish the death penalty