A/HRC/8/4 page 28 63. In comparison with the executive and legislative branches and other public services such as education and health, investment in the justice system is routinely much lower. As a result, highly dedicated judges, prosecutors and lawyers are liable to find themselves working in very difficult conditions, both materially and in terms of personal safety. Facilitating access to justice requires giving budget priority to the administration of justice, and in such a way as to ensure full autonomy in the management of the resources allocated. 64. In light of the impact on access to justice of proper training for those working in the justice system, States should invest still more in training, concentrating particularly on international human rights law. 65. States should pay special attention to free legal aid programmes. This is generally the only legal assistance accessible to large portions of the population, and the absence or poor design of such programmes excludes the most disadvantaged groups from the judicial system. The experiences of certain Latin American countries with public defenders’ offices deserve to be publicized with a view to possible replication elsewhere. 66. Regardless of the system adopted, it is also crucial to respect and support the work of NGOs and bar associations, and their initiatives to bring justice to traditionally neglected regions and social groups. 67. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the United Nations should publish the Brasilia Rules on access to justice for persons in vulnerable situations. 68. Because of its decisive impact on access to justice and on all human rights, the Special Rapporteur recommends that all United Nations bodies should step up efforts to eradicate poverty and extreme poverty. 69. The Special Rapporteur urges the Human Rights Council to ask the Iraqi authorities to stop applying the death penalty in trials that do not meet international standards. In addition, in the absence of firm information on the perpetrators and circumstances of the attack that took the life of Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 others and the absolute impunity still surrounding this tragic event, it would be appropriate to create new channels of investigation to establish the facts. Given the very high value the United Nations places on combating impunity and defending the right to the truth, which has so far been consistently violated, and the legitimate interests of the Organization, whose authority has been undermined, it would be appropriate to set up a commission of eminent experts to begin, at last, to establish the facts. 70. The Special Rapporteur also proposes to look more closely at the impact of states of emergency on human rights, and asks the Council to give the subject the special attention it deserves. -----