CCPR/C/79/Add.96 page 3 that all fair-trial guarantees were not met in dealing with local officials. The Committee recommends that these events be thoroughly investigated by an independent body, that those found responsible be subjected to appropriate penal or disciplinary sanctions, and that all necessary measures be taken to prevent their recurrence anywhere within the country. 11. The Committee is concerned by reported cases of abuse of police authority, including unlawful arrest and detention, excessive use of force - especially against members of minority groups - and physical ill-treatment of detainees. The Committee recommends that the persons responsible be subjected to appropriate disciplinary or penal sanctions and, further, that the Government strengthen training programmes on human rights for the police and establish permanent mechanisms for ongoing instruction with the participation of international agencies and experts in the field. 12. The Committee also notes with concern the continued application of restrictive legislation inherited from the previous regime in various fields, including concerning the importation of foreign printed materials. The existence and application in practice of such laws may violate the Covenant's provisions and, in more general terms, make the degree of its incorporation into the domestic legal system uncertain. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that persons under its jurisdiction enjoy the right to seek and impart information, as provided for in article 19 of the Covenant, and repeal any legislation which runs counter to those rights. 13. The Committee considers that the principle of equality between men and women is far from being implemented in practice, particularly in the spheres of employment and education, in spite of progress in some areas such as the judiciary. It takes note of the activities of the Department for the Promotion of Gender Equality and other governmental initiatives to overcome deeply rooted stereotypes and traditions, and recommends that further measures to ensure genuine equality be undertaken without delay. 14. While noting that marital rape has been considered a crime since 1996, the Committee regrets that domestic violence against women is reported to be widespread. It recommends that concerted action be undertaken by all public authorities to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and to strengthen the remedies which are open to women who are subjected to it. 15. The Committee is concerned at the continuation of the practice of forcing citizens to attend so-called “informative talks” in spite of a decision of the Constitutional Court and the enactment of the new Law on Criminal Procedures, both of which provide that police may not compel such attendance without a court order. Such practices and the failure to give full effect to the new Law are incompatible with provisions of article 9 of the Covenant. 16. The Committee notes the increase since 1990 in minority participation in political, administrative, cultural and other institutions, but expresses its concern at the fact that it is still well below a level commensurate with their proportion of the population. The Committee encourages the State party to strengthen its programmes to increase the representation of the Albanian