E/CN.4/2000/16 page 15 Government reply 51. As regards the allegation by the GRAMC association concerning a random identification and harassment operation by the police against immigrants on 5 March 1997 in the province of Gerona, it must be emphasized that none of the alleged acts were committed either in Government departments or in teaching establishments. 52. The only case in which the identity of immigrants must be verified arises when they come to obtain a permit and the police officers responsible for security on the premises verify their identities in order to authorize entry into the building and movement within it; if appropriate, such identity checks may be made at the request of the police authorities. In the latter case, it should be emphasized that members of the police forces have a duty and an obligation to comply with the legislation in force when arresting any person - whether an immigrant or not - who is wanted by the police and has been traced by them. 53. As regards the allegations to the effect that members of the national police force attempted forcibly to enter four flats, it should be stated that there is no knowledge of the alleged facts and that up to the present time the authorities have received no information on any legal proceedings instituted against the officials concerned for breaches of articles 204 and 534-1-1 of the Penal Code. (b) Vigo 54. Mr. Kane, a Senegalese citizen, has filed a complaint against the local police for abuse of authority, illegal detention and ill-treatment (16 March 1997). He alleges that on 16 March 1997 at 5.30 p.m., four members of the Vigo local police force arrested him illegally on Samil beach and took him up a hill; during the journey, which lasted an hour, they insulted and struck him and threatened him with deportation. The local police deny these accusations and state that he was arrested at 7.05 p.m. and arrived at the police station 10 minutes later. However, eyewitnesses confirm the time given by the Senegalese national, and a woman who went to the police station to ask about him has stated that a policeman said to her: “Don’t worry, they have probably taken him for a little walk; I am sure that he is already back at Samil”. The lady coordinator at the Information Centre for Foreign Workers (CITE) states that there have been numerous cases of “little walks” of that kind, but that the victims hardly ever lodge complaints because they are afraid of reprisals. In the case under consideration, Mr. Kane’s papers were in order and he had a regular job. In view of the seriousness of the facts, which demonstrate that members of the local police force falsified the times in the report on the case, a number of inquiries were opened by Amnesty International, the mayor of Vigo and the Committee against Racism and Xenophobia, which sent a report on the “Kane affair” to Queen Sophia. The National Social Service Institute (INSERSO) has condemned these acts, and the case is at present before court No. 5 in Vigo. The public prosecutor has called for a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment for the officials concerned. Government reply 55. The Vigo police station recorded in its files a complaint bearing the serial number 5138, dated 17 March 1997 and deposited at 1.50 a.m., to the effect that Mamadou Kane, a Senegalese