Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 9: Promoting public awareness • Educating the general public about the prohibition and prevention of torture is an important preventive action. • Public education campaigns can help raise awareness about the issue and provide important momentum for change. • Awareness-raising activities can also focus on persons deprived of liberty and those who are most at risk of torture and ill-treatment. Chapter 10: NHRIs and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture • NHRIs can play an important role to promote the Optional Protocol, by advocating ratification and participating in broad and inclusive consultations on possible NPMs. • NHRIs may be designated as the NPM; either as the sole NPM, in cooperation with NGOs or as one of several NPMs. This double mandate can present particular challenges for NHRIs. • NHRIs not designated as the NPM can contribute to the work of the NPM and the work of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. Chapter 11: Public inquiries • Conducting a public inquiry on torture and other forms of ill-treatment allows NHRIs to perform several functions simultaneously; however, it also presents challenges that should be considered. • Holding a public inquiry on torture involves certain steps, such as defining the inquiry’s terms of reference, research and analysis, holding public hearings, visiting places of detention, conducting private interviews with detainees and preparing a report and recommendations. 113