of an SPT visit and its expected outcomes. Furthermore, such a seminar gives the SPT members an opportunity to have informal preliminary discussions with all relevant stakeholders in preparation for the visit to increase their understanding of the local context. The experience with these seminars has been that they contribute significantly to the quality of the subsequent visit since all parties are better prepared. When arranging such a seminar, it is important ensure that there is broad participation so that it does not appear as an NGO lobbying event. as a joint meeting for all NGOs at the same time, lasting for approximately half a day. However, in special circumstances, NGOs can request private confidential meetings with the SPT. This could be based on concerns for security or confidentiality of the information they intend to present or if there are other compelling reasons. If a private meeting is requested, it is important to clearly explain the justification for why this is necessary. For the meeting to be as constructive as possible, it is very important that NGOs carefully consider what type of information On the occasion of the SPT visit to Brazil, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) invited two SPT experts to participate in OPCAT promotional activities in the states of Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, prior to their official in-country mission. On that occasion, the SPT members met bilaterally with a wide range of actors, including local authorities, civil society organisations and other relevant institutions. Those activities enabled the SPT members to gather first-hand information on the situation of prevention of torture and ill-treatment in the country and adapt their official visit agenda on the basis of updated and accurate information. They were also able to establish informal contacts with the authorities and explain the objectives and methodology of their in-country missions. The APT, together with its local partners, also submitted written information to the SPT Secretariat on the status of OPCAT implementation in Brazil, with a specific highlight on the situations at risks in specific states. Such information completed the information gathered by the SPT in their country brief and assisted them in selecting the states and places to visit during their in-country mission. During At the start of a country visit, the SPT will meet with a wide range of different representatives from governmental agencies in order to hear the government’s view of the situation in the country. Following its meetings with the government, the SPT will meet with relevant NGOs in order to obtain counterbalancing information from civil society. Often, the meeting will be arranged 12 they will present and how they will present it. The meetings are very limited in time with often many NGOs wishing to speak. It is therefore important that the NGOs properly coordinate their speaking time in advance of the meeting to ensure that all stakeholders get to provide input. Coordination is also important to ensure that different NGOs cover different topics so that no time is wasted on presenting the same information twice. Working with the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture: A practical guide for NGOs engaging with SPT country visits