CAT/OP/5 United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 4 February 2015 Original: English Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Guidelines of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in relation to visits to States parties under article 11 (a) of the Optional Protocol* At its twenty-third session, the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment decided that a revised text of the guidelines for the Subcommittee’s regular and follow-up visits would be considered for adoption at the twenty-fourth session and made available in the working languages of the Subcommittee. The revised text, set out below, was adopted by the Subcommittee at its twenty-fourth session. I. Procedure concerning visits conducted under article 11 (a) of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in relation to visits to States parties Guideline 1 Visits conducted under article 11 (a) 1. In accordance with the mandate conferred on the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Subcommittee shall establish a programme of visits to places of deprivation of liberty in States parties in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to strengthen the protection of persons deprived of their liberty against torture and other forms of ill-treatment. If the Subcommittee considers it appropriate, it may decide to carry out a short follow-up visit, as provided for in article 13, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol. * The present revised guidelines supersede those issued under the symbol CAT/OP/12/4. GE.15-01772 (E) 

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