A/HRC/23/18 Annex III [English only] Regional consultation for the Americas on enhancing cooperation between United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms on prevention of torture and protection of victims of torture, in particular persons deprived of their liberty Washington D.C., 29 and 30 November 2011 Conclusions The President of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, the Vice-president of the United Nations Sub-committee on the Prevention of Torture, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR)’s Rapporteur on detainees’ rights, IACHR’s President, IACHR’s Executive Secretary, professional Staff from the IACHR and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as representatives of National and Local Preventive Mechanisms of Torture (NPMs) form the region, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society organizations met to identify concrete ways and means to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and Inter-American human rights mechanisms on the fight against torture and other ill treatment, taking into account key working areas identified during the International workshop on cooperation between international and regional human rights mechanisms held in Geneva in 2010 (A/HRC/15/56), namely: exchange of information, possible joint activities and follow-up to recommendations, as well as NPMs’ and Civil Society Organizations’ role. Participants suggested to further developing the following concrete means and ways of cooperation: 1. United Nations and Inter-American Human Rights mechanisms coordination body In 2011, representatives of the United Nations and the Inter-American Human Rights mechanisms against torture met twice to coordinate their activities and to identify areas of cooperation. In order to formally establish this coordination body, it was agreed: • To hold periodic meetings -twice per year- in order to, among others, coordinate activities, exchange information, identify common thematic priorities, analyze substantive issues, discuss strategies and priorities, identify complementary areas so as to avoid duplicity, as well as exchange work plans and calendars. • The work of this coordinating body should be public and transparent. The participation of civil society organizations, NPMs, and NHRIs, among others, will be promoted so as to report on its progress. 29