CAT/C/3/Rev.6 Rule 79 Meetings 1. Meetings of the Committee concerning its proceedings under article 20 of the Convention shall be closed. A member shall neither take part in nor be present at any proceedings under article 20 of the Convention if he/she is a national of the State party concerned, is employed by that State, or if any other conflict of interest is present. 2. Meetings during which the Committee considers general issues, such as procedures for the application of article 20 of the Convention, shall be public, unless the Committee decides otherwise. Rule 80 Issue of communiqués concerning closed meetings The Committee may decide to issue communiqués, through the Secretary-General, for the use of the information media and the general public regarding its activities under article 20 of the Convention. Rule 81 Preliminary consideration of information by the Committee 1. The Committee, when necessary, may ascertain, through the Secretary-General, the reliability of the information and/or of the sources of the information brought to its attention under article 20 of the Convention or obtain additional relevant information substantiating the facts of the situation. 2. The Committee shall determine whether it appears to it that the information received contains well-founded indications that torture, as defined in article 1 of the Convention, is being systematically practised in the territory of the State party concerned. Rule 82 Examination of the information 1. If it appears to the Committee that the information received is reliable and contains well-founded indications that torture is being systematically practised in the territory of a State party, the Committee shall invite the State party concerned, through the SecretaryGeneral, to cooperate in its examination of the information and, to this end, to submit observations with regard to that information. 2. The Committee shall indicate a time limit for the submission of observations by the State party concerned, with a view to avoiding undue delay in its proceedings. 3. In examining the information received, the Committee shall take into account any observations which may have been submitted by the State party concerned, as well as any other relevant information available to it. 4. The Committee may decide, if it deems it appropriate, to obtain additional information or answers to questions relating to the information under examination from different sources, including the representatives of the State party concerned, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as individuals. 5. The Committee shall decide, on its initiative and on the basis of its rules of procedure, the form and manner in which such additional information may be obtained. 25