CAT/OP/MRT/2 47. The Subcommittee noted during its visit that the various actors in the sector are aware of the mechanism’s existence and terms of reference. However, the Subcommittee observed that there is still some uncertainty around the mechanism’s responsibilities, in particular as regards the coordination of its activities and prerogatives with other stakeholders. 48. The Subcommittee recommends that the mechanism conduct awareness-raising and communication activities with a view to increasing its visibility and publicizing its mandate and work among the general public. The mechanism should also expand its contacts among national partners and become more involved with training programmes for judges, police officers, gendarmes, prison officers, health workers and members of the armed forces. It should also create a collaborative platform to regularly bring together the various parties involved in the prevention of torture. 49. The mechanism should take measures to ensure that its published annual reports are submitted and debated in Parliament as well as being submitted to the President of the Republic. 50. In the light of article 29 of its rules of procedure, whereby the annex to those rules should contain a diagram of the staffing structure, the Subcommittee invites the mechanism to provide information on its recruitment process and publish a list of its staff. C. Recommendations relating to methodological issues 51. Although it is not possible to make detailed methodological comments on the visit to the civilian prison in Nouakchott conducted jointly with the mechanism, the Subcommittee nevertheless wishes to express its concern at the lack of preparation and methodological structure noted on the visit, and submits below a number of methodological recommendations on the basis of this first visit. 52. The mechanism should develop a rigorous methodology for the visits it makes within the framework of its mandate. In addition, it should design a database to store information on the physical features of each place of deprivation of liberty in Mauritania, such as the layout and furnishing of the blocks, as well as the measurements of buildings, yards and cells. The database should be maintained and regularly updated with information gathered during successive visits. 53. The Subcommittee draws the mechanism’s attention to the need to undertake full visits, which may take several days if necessary. The visiting team should conduct the visit following a programme worked out in advance and reflecting the purpose of the visit. Particular attention should be given to the distribution of the groups within the team on the basis of the objectives defined in advance. 54. Particular attention must be paid to interviews conducted without witnesses, and every care taken never to expose a detainee to any risk of reprisals. To that end, a detainee’s name should be sought and noted only in particular cases and for a specific purpose. 55. The mechanism should promptly adopt, as part of its methodology, a strategy and specific measures for the protection of persons who have cooperated with it and, in general, of all persons deprived of their liberty, as well as their family members. 56. The Subcommittee believes that unannounced visits or visits at short notice make it possible to obtain a clearer picture of the conditions in places of deprivation of liberty and of the treatment of detained persons. 57. The Subcommittee urges the Mechanism to undertake unannounced visits and to keep the schedule of visits confidential. 58. The Subcommittee emphasizes the importance of keeping the initial interview with the prison authorities as brief as possible so as to be able to devote maximum time and attention to the conditions of detention. The initial interview should be 8 GE.18-15827