A/HRC/18/24 plans on prisons, programmes for the integration of minority societies, strategies and programmes on child education, education policies, programmes for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, health policies and strategies for minorities and disadvantaged groups, policies on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, gender equality, children’s rights, non-discrimination, sexual violence, migration and others. 36. During the workshop session on the prevention of torture the panel distinguished between two forms of prevention: (a) Direct prevention, which aims to prevent torture from occurring by reducing the risk factors that cause it; (b) Indirect prevention, which takes place when torture has already occurred but aims to avoid its reoccurring through justice and reparation. 37. It was recognized by most respondents to the questionnaire and by participants at the workshop that education and awareness-raising are central to promoting the prevention of violations. From the responses to the questionnaire, it appears that actors are focusing predominately on indirect prevention and identifying mechanisms that seek to remedy violations as opposed to preventing them outright. Thus there is a need to further develop, and raise awareness of, the concept of prevention. B. Strategic action 38. The participants noted that the responses from the questionnaire revealed the need for strategic action on human rights protection. It was reported that many States had enacted national action plans, in which the human rights-based approach was introduced to guide them in addressing their country’s human rights needs, to raise awareness of human rights issues among government officials, security authorities, civil society organizations and the general public, to mobilize a broad spectrum of society in a cooperative atmosphere, to propose realistic activities and achievable targets and to promote linkages with other national programmes. However, despite this positive description, the participants acknowledged that there are still shortcomings regarding implementation and follow-up, as only half of the respondents had set up a formal structure within the existing government institutions tasked with strategy implementation. 39. Participants in the discussion on migration and trafficking indicated that the failure to ensure a cooperative strategic approach to migration between the countries of origin and the countries of reception resulted in gaps in protection for migrants. 40. By the same token, it was also clear during the session on the prevention of torture that one of the key elements of the success of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment was that it addresses the wide range of elements that can lead to situations of torture and illtreatment. By conducting a rigorous analysis of the legal and administrative frameworks, procedural rights and guarantees of a fair trial, and by conducting visits to places of detention, meeting with detainees and others, and gathering relevant information, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is able to get a clear understanding of the entire system and address both one-off incidences as well as systematic weaknesses. 10