Foreword Torture is, unfortunately, a phenomenon that continues to exist and requires further attention in the OSCE area. All OSCE field operations are involved in tortureprevention activities of some kind. Through their work in this area, these operations have gained substantial experience in how best to tackle torture and other forms of inhumane and degrading treatment. In accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has assembled all of this experience to make it available to a wide audience, including torture-prevention practitioners, those working within the OSCE, and relevant policy makers in the 56 OSCE participating States. This manual is the second ODIHR publication in the arena of torture prevention. While Preventing Torture: A Handbook for OSCE Field Staff, published in 1999, explained the Organization’s role in torture prevention and offered advice to OSCE field operations on how to effectively engage in torture prevention activities, The Fight Against Torture analyzes OSCE experience and, based on this experience, proposes strategies for future work in this area. It also takes into consideration new developments in the international regulatory framework addressing the issue of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, notably the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). This instrument is of crucial importance, and the OSCE remains ready to assist participating States in its implementation. This publication contains a number of examples of effective approaches to implementation and best practices regarding the establishment of so-called National Preventive Mechanisms, as required by OPCAT. I warmly thank all OSCE personnel who provided us with the benefit of their experience in this area and made this publication possible. I hope that it will further strengthen our efforts and impact in preventing torture across the entire OSCE area. Ambassador Janez Lenarčič Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) 5