  Submission of a written report to demonstrate how economic, social and cultural barriers for torture survivors’ access to health care services in Peru A formal presentation at the NGO forums pre-session in connection with CESCRs review of Peru in Geneva in May 2012. On behalf of CAPS, IRCT presented highlights of the joint alternative report submitted to CESCR. There were not many Peruvian NGOs at the pre-session and the majority represented were organisations focusing on reproductive health. Thus, this topic dominated the 20 minutes that were allocated to NGO presentations. Apart from reproductive health, the topics covered by other NGOs were right to food and indigenous people’s rights. The reaction from the Committee to IRCT’s presentation was initially quite critical. Their reactions were exacerbated by the fact that the cluster of NGOs reporting on reproductive health, instead of presenting a collective report, took most of the time to present individually on the same theme. This limited the number and breadth of issues that were raised. One of the committee members further stated that “torture had nothing to do with CESCR”. Nevertheless, IRCT got an opportunity to comment and explain further which led to some interest in the topic. A more elaborate presentation was made by the IRCT, with a reference to the State report in particular, challenging the claim that an estimated number of 70.000 victims were treated through mental health care teams sent out in the regions. For further information see: http://worldwithouttorture.org/2012/05/29/torture-is-a-violation-of-the-right-tohealth/ Suggested Reading IRCT (2011) Practical guide for NGOs using the Universal Review Process http://www.irct.org/Files/Filer/publications/UPR-Guide.pdf Joint Cambodian NGO Report (Oct. 2010): Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in the Kingdom of Cambodia http://tpocambodia.org/fileadmin/templates/pdf/Research_and_Reports/Joint%20Cam bodian%20NGO%20CAT%20Report%2006-10-10_English.pdf 5.4 Prevention activities: Challenging torture The prevention of torture is multifaceted and prevention efforts can be aimed at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Inevitably, prevention activities have to be contextrelevant, and can be specific to the local or country context or span regional and international efforts. Prevention includes measures to reduce or hinder acts of torture such as activities aimed at reducing risk factors, promoting effective legal and protective frameworks, monitoring compliance with national and international human rights obligations, combating impunity, training, and education. Broadly speaking, prevention activities can also include advocacy, awareness-raising and capacity-building, with many activities serving 42