CAT/OP/MRT/2 specific proposals to ensure that the functions of all those working in the sector are clearly identified, understood and disseminated. 39. The Subcommittee has informed the Mauritanian authorities of the need for the mechanism to have a stable, adequate budget. The Subcommittee welcomes the fact that, in 2017, the mechanism’s budget was the subject of a special section of the annual State budget. 40. The Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism prepare a detailed budget of the expenditure necessary for the implementation of the above-mentioned programme of work. The budget should distinguish between settingup costs, fixed overheads and variable operating expenses relating to specific activities such as visits to places of deprivation of liberty. The mechanism should also make good use of its right to appeal for donations and bequests, as authorized under article 23 of the Act, while noting that that provision does not in any way absolve the State party of its responsibility under article 18 (3) of the Optional Protocol to guarantee the financial resources required for the mechanism to function. 41. After its visit to Mauritania, the Subcommittee was informed of the adoption in February 2017 of a decree amending and supplementing some of the provisions of Decree No. 2016-110 establishing the honorariums and privileges of the Chair, the members and the Secretary-General of the mechanism. Article 4 bis of the new Decree stipulates that the plenary may make amendments, additions and allocations to the mechanism’s budget as necessary. 42. Now that the allocations have been approved by the plenary meeting of the mechanism under article 4 bis of the February 2017 Decree, the Subcommittee urges the mechanism to inform it in detail of its budget, including the specific budget lines for members’ honorariums, staffing costs, headquarters overheads, costs of missions and visits, and all other expenditure envisaged. In this regard the Subcommittee recalls that the mechanism’s budget should make it possible to put in place a programme of stringent and effective visits in order to discharge its mandate to prevent torture in the country. 43. The Subcommittee notes with satisfaction the wide range of expertise among the members of the mechanism and the fact that the members have already received training organized by the Association for the Prevention of Torture. The Subcommittee wishes to point out, however, that it is important that members receive initial and continuing training so as to rapidly forge a shared identity and develop the technical skills and legislative competence that will enable them to function effectively, both individually and collectively. The Subcommittee also notes the contradiction between the requirement under the Act for members to serve on a full-time basis (art. 24), and the reality that members in fact serve on a part-time basis. 44. The Subcommittee invites the mechanism, in cooperation with the civil society actors already involved, to arrange for staff competence and knowledge to be strengthened, by means of both institutionalized and ad hoc training programmes, short courses and partnerships with universities and civil society organizations. 45. The Subcommittee welcomes the fact that the mechanism was able to conduct its first visit to a place of deprivation of liberty during the Subcommittee’s visit, and that it has since made unannounced visits to several other places of detention, including the Dar Naim Prison and the Women’s Prison, as well as various gendarmerie and police stations and police stations in Nouakchott. The mechanism has also visited a rehabilitation centre for children in conflict with the law. 46. The Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism make follow-up visits to the facilities already visited, to see how its recommendations have been implemented. The Subcommittee encourages the mechanism to continue its regular visits, based on the work plan it has drawn up and making effective and rational use of the resources at its disposal. The Subcommittee also urges the mechanism to systematically provide a full report on its visits to the Mauritanian authorities, with specific recommendations. GE.18-15827 7