Among the 18 countries hosting field operations surveyed, 12 are parties to OPCAT and one other, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, has signed the Protocol. In some cases, particularly in South-Eastern Europe where staff levels are much higher, field operations are involved in monitoring and reporting on the existence of torture and ill-treatment at a countrywide level to identify trends and systemic problems. Individual complaints of torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment are also dealt with directly by field operations in some countries, either by raising them with the authorities or directing individuals to the relevant NGOs. Where possible, OSCE field operations take advantage of their position as part of an international organization with a political mandate to maintain a dialogue with the government. This dialogue may include the provision of technical advice, the encouragement of signing and ratifying relevant international instruments, or the facilitation of dialogue between the government and NGOs or Ombudsman offices. 2.4 The field operations 2.4.1 Central Asia OSCE field operations in Central Asia are relatively small, and usually only one international and one or two national staff will focus on torture prevention. The OSCE is sometimes the only international organization with a long-term “in country” presence, and field offices here report that they are seen as an important partner in this activity. The level of engagement in this region appears to be related closely to governmental attitudes, especially vis-à-vis the question of whether torture exists in a country or not. If the existence of torture is questioned by the government it is difficult for a field operation to implement activities to directly combat these phenomena. Even in comparatively difficult contexts, however, it may be possible to identify measures that can indirectly assist in combating torture. One example is a field operation that has been advocating for legislation relating to a new Ombudsman institution to include visiting prisons as part of its mandate. Additionally, some field operations in Central Asia have directed their efforts towards other activities considered viable. Examples include providing financial support for or organizing public meetings to discuss torture and ill-treatment within the context of detention monitoring and criminal justice reform in general, providing information to international treaty monitoring bodies, and training and supporting other organizations politically. In one country, Turkmenistan, the field operation has taken an active role in implementing short training sessions for judges and prosecutors, focusing on human rights standards in relation to arrest and detention. In general, Central Asian field operations said that integrating anti-torture activities into criminal justice reform activities or other projects, such as those dealing with psychiatric or social welfare custody issues, was more palatable to the authorities and the most effective approach. Individual countries may provide particular opportunities for such a course. For 15