CAT/C/57/4 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 22 March 2016 Original: English Committee against Torture Fifty-seventh session 18 April-13 May 2016 Item 5 of the provisional agenda Organizational and other matters Ninth annual report of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Summary The ninth annual report of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment surveys the work of the Subcommittee during 2015. Following a brief introduction, section II provides an update on developments relating to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture system, including visits, the increase in States parties and in designated national preventive mechanisms, and the operation of the Special Fund established by the Optional Protocol. Section III highlights areas of cooperation between the Subcommittee and other international and regional bodies and civil society. Section IV provides information concerning the Subcommittee’s working practices, including preliminary thoughts on some substantive issues. Section V sets out the Subcommittee’s views on prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Section VI reflects on the Subcommittee’s 2016 programme of work and the practical challenges facing the Subcommittee as it continues to develop its work. The annex contains a compilation of advice provided by the Subcommittee in 2015 in response to requests from national preventive mechanisms. GE.16-04503(E) *1604503*

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