A/HRC/23/18 • NGOs play an important role in disseminating information on African and United Nations mechanisms on torture, as well as on NPMs’ work, including through distribution of reports and awareness-raising activities. The importance that NGOs receive feedback and information from these mechanisms was highlighted. • Participants agreed on the important role played by NGOs in identifying best practices developed by both United Nations and African human rights mechanisms. Tools and arrangements to share these best practices should be put in place. • NGOs’ capacities should be reinforced. United Nations and African mechanisms on torture should conduct capacity building activities aimed at facilitating NGOs’ access to information on their functioning. • With regard to victims and witness protection, it was highlighted that confidentiality and other protection mechanisms should be put in place so as to enhance NGOs’ role in the fight against torture. • The role that NGOs can play in bringing up the specificities of human rights situations in various African countries was highlighted. NGOs can facilitate a focused approach of United Nations and African mechanisms on torture in their engagement. • NGOs can play an important role in convening and facilitating constructive dialogues among regional, international and domestic mechanisms on torture so they can share information about each other’s standards and best practices. NGOs having expertise and experience working with specific groups deprived of their liberty can feed into this information sharing process and convene relevant stakeholders. 45