A/76/168 the international criminal courts and tribunals that adjudicate a broad range of crimes, including torture and ill-treatment. Several international mechanisms serve to hold States accountable specifically in respect of their compliance with the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, including the Committee against Torture, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the Special Rapporteur on torture. These are further complemented by monitoring and implementation mechanisms established through regional instruments. All these bodies’ procedures – from monitoring and reporting to litigation – are aimed at maintaining a system of continuous accountability for torture and ill-treatment. This accountability takes different forms, which are complementary in nature. For example, through the reporting pro cedure, the Committee against Torture examines periodic reports submitted by States, raises specific concerns and makes recommendations through its concluding observations. The Committee also hears individual complaints, carries out confidential inquiries in response to reliable information on serious, grave or systematic violations by a State party, and issues general comments providing guidance for the interpretation of the provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture conducts monitoring visits to States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment with a view to preventing and redressing torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty. The Subcommittee also supports and provides advice on the establishment of a system of regular visits at the national level through national preventive mechanisms aimed at monitoring the treatment and conditions in places of deprivation of liberty. In contrast to treaty bodies, the Special Rapporteur on torture, mandated by Human Rights Council resolution 43/20, can engage in a direct dialogue with all States, regardless of their treaty obligations. In doing so, the Special Rapporteur transmits urgent appeals and other communications on behalf of individuals and groups exposed to acts or risks of torture or ill-treatment to the relevant Governments; undertakes official country visits with a view to assessing State practice, identifying challenges and providing recommendations in official reports; and submits thematic reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on key issues relating to the mandate, including recommendations aimed at improving the compliance of States with the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment in the thematic area under review. 9 15. On the national level, continuous accountability for torture and ill-treatment is fostered through independent monitoring mechanisms operating according to internationally agreed standards, such as the national preventive mechanisms aimed specifically at the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, 10 and national human rights institutions focusing on a broader range of human rights violations. 11 Also, depending on the context, domestic accountability may be ensured through a broad range of oversight and complaints mechanisms, such as parliamentary ombudsperso ns or specialized units or officials within the various relevant ministries and services, which can offer complaints procedures, investigate alleged misconduct, decide on disciplinary sanctions and refer relevant cases to the competent judicial authorities for prosecution and punishment. 16. In this regard, special emphasis should be placed on the contribution to accountability by bodies other than State institutions and, in particular, on the __________________ 9 10 11 6/23 On the effectiveness of State cooperation with the Special Rapporteur, see A/HRC/46/26 and A/HRC/46/26/Corr.1. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Preventing Torture: The Role of National Preventive Mechanisms – A Practical Guide, Professional Training Series No. 21 (New York and Geneva, 2018). Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Association for the Prevention of Torture and OHCHR, Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions (2010). 21-09914