CAT/C/42/2
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80. The SPT continued to work on refining the guidelines on visits, as part of the process of
refining its working methods. SPT visits vary according to, inter alia, the complexity of the
structures existing within a State party (e.g. federal states, devolved responsibilities for
deprivation of liberty) and the size of the population in different kinds of custodial settings.
Working methods on visits are constantly evolving and depend upon ongoing debriefing and
feedback from visits.
C. Confidentiality and secure communications
81. Progress was made in achieving a system of secure communications in order to facilitate
the safe discussion and exchange of data relating to confidential matters falling within the SPT’s
mandate. Such a system was essential given the need to protect persons providing information to
the SPT and personal data obtained by the SPT, which could place individuals at serious risk, as
well as to comply with the obligation to keep confidential all information and observations
regarding a State party which has been visited. In 2008, staff of the OHCHR worked on the
process of providing SPT members with access to a secure internet facility, GROOVE, which
has the capacity to allow document review and discussion in strict confidentiality. This provision
was fully realized in early 2009 and has greatly facilitated the work of drafting and reviewing
documents and enhanced the efficiency of the SPT. The SPT is grateful that it is now able to
exchange information under conditions of confidentiality commensurate with the nature of its
work.
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