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Visits may be carried out to any place "where persons are deprived of their
liberty by a public authority". The CPT's mandate thus extends beyond prisons and
police stations to encompass, for example, psychiatric institutions, detention areas at
military barracks, holding centres for asylum seekers or other categories of foreigners,
and places in which young persons may be deprived of their liberty by judicial or
administrative order.
Two fundamental principles govern relations between the CPT and Parties to
the Convention - co-operation and confidentiality. In this respect, it should be
emphasised that the role of the Committee is not to condemn States, but rather to assist
them to prevent the ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.
After each visit, the CPT draws up a report which sets out its findings and
includes, if necessary, recommendations and other advice, on the basis of which a
dialogue is developed with the State concerned. The Committee's visit report is, in
principle, confidential; however, almost all States have chosen to waive the rule of
confidentiality and publish the report.