Part II Preventing torture: NHRIs in action | Section III Acting as a control mechanism include practical recommendations to bring about systemic change. Thematic reports should initially be sent to the relevant authorities for comment and then made public and widely disseminated through the media. In 2008, the Australian Human Rights Commission published a report on issues related to immigration detention. It provides a summary of observations following visits to the country’s nine immigration detention facilities and interviews with people in community detention. 3.2. Drafting good recommendations The quality and usefulness of recommendations developed following visits to places of detention should be assessed against the following ten interrelated and mutually reinforcing criteria (the double SMART model). Specific: each recommendation should address only one specific issue Measurable: the evaluation of the implementation should be as easy as possible Achievable: each recommendation should be realistic and feasible Results-oriented: the actions suggested should lead to a concrete result Time-bound: it should mention a realistic timeframe AND Solution-suggestive: Wherever possible, recommendations should propose credible solutions Mindful of prioritization, sequencing and risks: it might be useful to address more urgent recommendations first and reserve others for subsequent reports. Argued: recommendations should be based on high-quality, objective evidence and analysis and refer to standards Real-cause responsive: recommendations should address the cause of the problem, rather than the symptoms Targeted: recommendations should be directed to specific institutions/actors rather than to “the authorities” In practice, it might be difficult to draft recommendations that comply with all the double SMART criteria, however, NHRIs should take sufficient time to consider them carefully. Drafting good recommendations is essential as it provides a solid basis for an ongoing dialogue with the authorities and enables NHRIs to follow-up on their implementation. 3.3. Annual report NHRIs are usually required to present an annual report of their activities to the Parliament. Annual reports provide an opportunity for the NHRI to summarize its key human rights concerns and present recommendations that require legislative intervention. Among other issues, an annual report can draw attention to concerns regarding the treatment of detainees and conditions of detention. The annual report should made available to the media and, more broadly, to the general public. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has the mandate to monitor on a monthly basis places such as police custodials, detention centres and jails. The visiting team examines the overall conditions of detention and the treatment of persons deprived of liberty, as well as conducting face-to-face interviews in private with those detainees wishing to make a complaint. Chapter 8: Monitoring places of detention | 91