A/HRC/23/18 • An interfaced between African NPMs, the SPT and the CPTA should be established. The idea of a regional NPM network should be further explored. • National actors such as NHRIs and NGOs should cooperate more with NPMs, in order to complement and reinforce each other. They can for example, jointly organize thematic seminars to which the SPT and the CPTA could be invited to participate. • On the other hand, NPMs should engage more with NGOs in their day-to-day work. Legal obstacles to this collaboration should be removed. • With respect to the ACPHR, it was suggested the creation of a permanent platform between African NPMs and the ACPHR, in particular to enhance engagement with the Special Rapporteur on prisons and conditions of detention in Africa and the CPTA. • A call to the CPTA was made in order to define a strategy of engagement with NPMs outside ACPHR’s sessions. It was also suggested that the CPTA shares its strategic plan with NPMs, as well as that it develops a gap analysis project aimed at evaluating NPMs’ effectiveness. • With regard to United Nations mechanisms, it was recommended that the SPT and OHCHR, in collaboration with the CPTA develop a relationship of proximity with African NPMs aimed at assessing their effectiveness, as well as to build their capacities. • United Nations and African mechanisms should encourage States to take commitments to establish NPMs and to strengthen the existent ones, including their legal framework, their independence as well as their human and financial resources. It was mentioned that this is already an existing practice of CAT when reviewing State parties’ periodic reports. • A call to the United Nations was made so as to assess its technical support to NPMs, as well as to create innovative ways to facilitate NPMs’ access to it. • NPMs should engage with subregional human rights mechanisms, including ECOWAS and East Africa Courts of Justice. 5. Role of NGOs • The key role played by NGOs with regard to follow up to recommendations resulting from both United Nations and African mechanisms was underscored. This monitoring function should be based on constructive dialogue and cooperation with Governments. However, their independence should be preserved. It was mentioned that NGOs can undertake visits to follow up on recommendations from United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms on torture. Participants encouraged NGOs to keep making efforts in this regard. • It was recommended that United Nations and African mechanisms on torture reports are made public as much as possible, so as to allow NGOs to follow up on them. For instance, the reports of the forthcoming “NPM focused” missions of the SPT. • NGOs role in the establishment of NPMs was highlighted. It was suggested that NGOs continue to form coalitions that help in the process of establishment of NPMs, as well as with regard to their functioning by contributing to make them complainant with OPCAT and SPT guidelines on NPMs. • The NGO’s role as watchdog of the NPMs’ performance was highlighted. It was suggested that they actively monitor NPM’s work through reports, statements, etc. 44