CAT/OP/BRA/3 from appointing members to the mechanism who hold positions that could raise questions of conflict of interest (see CAT/OP/12/5, paras. 12 and 18). 86. The Subcommittee recommends that the Federal Government provide both the necessary human resources and adequate funding for the effective functioning of the national preventive mechanism through a specific budget line, in addition to granting the mechanism the institutional autonomy to use its resources. The necessary resources should be provided to permit the effective operation of the mechanism, which should enjoy complete financial and operational autonomy when carrying out its functions under the Optional Protocol. Resources should be assured through a separate line in the annual budget and should be predictable, to allow the national preventive mechanism to develop its annual workplan and visits and to plan its cooperation with other partners. 87. The Subcommittee emphasizes that the national preventive mechanism should complement rather than replace existing systems of oversight in Brazil, and its functioning should take into account effective cooperation and coordination between preventive mechanisms in the country. The Subcommittee recommends that the budgets of the National Committee and the National Mechanism be separated. The National Mechanism, in cooperation with the National Committee, should clearly separate their respective mandates so that they can carry out all aspects of their respective mandates in a manner that avoids actual or perceived conflicts of interest. 88. The Subcommittee further recommends that the State party build the capacity of newly appointed staff members of the national preventive mechanism and intensify training of all participants in the work of the mechanism. The Subcommittee also recommends that the mechanism continue to develop its capacity through increasing cooperation with the Subcommittee, as well as through engagement with other national and state preventive mechanisms. 89. The Subcommittee also recommends that the State party encourage the National System to Prevent and Combat Torture in general, and the National Mechanism to Prevent and Combat Torture in particular, to engage more directly with civil society organizations, including, at a minimum, through their increased participation in visits by the national preventive mechanism and in its dialogue with the authorities. 90. The Subcommittee also recommends that the State party increase the visibility of the national preventive mechanism, including through activities that raise awareness of the Optional Protocol and of the mechanism’s mandate; its recommendations should be prominently discussed and addressed. To this end, the Subcommittee recommends that the mechanism enhance its advocacy with institutions where persons are deprived of their liberty, with relevant ministries and with legislators. The Subcommittee also recommends that the State party support such exchanges. 91. Finally, the State authorities and the national preventive mechanism should enter into a meaningful process of continuous dialogue with a view to the implementation of the recommendations which the mechanism may make, with the aim of improving the treatment and the conditions of the persons deprived of their liberty and to prevent torture and other ill-treatment or punishment. The State party should publish and widely disseminate the annual reports of the national preventive mechanism, including transmitting them to the Subcommittee, in accordance with article 23 of the Optional Protocol. The Subcommittee urges the State party to establish an institutional forum for the discussion of and follow-up to such reports. 18

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