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Article 20
1. If the Committee receives reliable information which appears to it to contain well-founded
indications that torture is being systematically practised in the territory of a State Party, the
Committee shall invite that State Party to co-operate in the examination of the information and
to this end to submit observations with regard to the information concerned.
2. Taking into account any observations which may have been submitted by the State Party
concerned, as well as any other relevant information available to it, the Committee may, if it
decides that this is warranted, designate one or more of its members to make a confidential
inquiry and to report to the Committee urgently.
3. If an inquiry is made in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, the Committee shall seek
the co-operation of the State Party concerned. In agreement with that State Party, such an
inquiry may include a visit to its territory.
4. After examining the findings of its member or members submitted in accordance with
paragraph 2 of this article, the Commission shall transmit these findings to the State Party
concerned together with any comments or suggestions which seem appropriate in view of the
situation.
5. All the proceedings of the Committee referred to in paragraphs I to 4 of th is article s hall be
confidential , and at all stages of the proceedings the co-operation of the State Party shall be
sought. After such proceedings have been completed with regard to an inquiry made in
accordance with paragraph 2, the Committee may, after consultations with the State Party
concerned, decide to include a summary account of the results of the proceedings in its annual
report made in accordance with article 24.
Article 21
1. A State Party to this Convention may at any time declare under this article that it recognizes
the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications to the effect that a
State Party claims that another State Party is not fulfilling its obligations under this
Convention. Such communications may be received and considered according to the
procedures laid down in this article only if submitted by a State Party which has made a
declaration recognizing in regard to itself the competence of the Committee. No
communication shall be dealt with by the Committee under this article if it concerns a State
Party which has not made such a declaration. Communications received under this article shall
be dealt with in accordance with the following procedure;
(a) If a State Party considers that another State Party is not giving effect to the provisions ofthis
Convention, it may, by written communication, bring the matter to the attention of that State
Party. Within three months after the receipt of the communication the receiving State shall
afford the State which sent the communication an explanation or any other statement in
writing clarifying the matter, which should include, to the extent possible and pertinent,
reference to domestic procedures and remedies taken, pending or available in the matter;
(b) If the matter is not adjusted to the satisfaction of both States Parties concerned within six
months after the receipt by the receiving State of the initial communication, either State shall
have the right to refer the matter to the Committee, by notice given to the Committee and to the
other State;
(c) The Committee shall deal with a matter referred to it under this article only after it has
ascertained that all domestic remedies have been invoked and exhausted in the matter, in
conformity with the generally recognized principles of international law. This shall not be the
rule where the application of the remedies is unreasonably prolonged or is unlikely to bring
effective relief to the person who is the victim of the violation of this Convention;
(d) The Committee shall hold closed meetings when examining communications under this
article; (e) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph
(e), the Committee shall make available its good offices to the States Parties concerned with a
view to a friendly solution of the matter on the basis of respect for the obligations provided for
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