E/CN.4/1997/7 page 50 4. The urgent appeal procedure is not per se accusatory, but essentially preventive in nature and purpose. The Government concerned is merely requested to look into the matter and to take steps aimed at protecting the right to physical and mental integrity of the person concerned, in accordance with the international human rights standards. 5. In view of the fact that the urgent appeal contains information that is extremely time-sensitive, the appeal is addressed directly to the foreign affairs ministry or department of the country concerned. 6. The Special Rapporteur, where appropriate, sends urgent appeals jointly with other organs of the United Nations human rights machinery. 7. The Special Rapporteur transmits to Governments summaries of all credible and reliable information addressed to him alleging individual cases as well as practices of torture. At the same time he requests the Governments to look into those allegations and to provide him with relevant information on them. In addition, the Special Rapporteur urges Governments to take steps to investigate the allegations; to prosecute and impose appropriate sanctions on any persons guilty of torture regardless of any rank, office or position they may hold; to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts; and to compensate the victims or their relatives in accordance with the relevant international standards. 8. The Special Rapporteur analyses responses from Governments and transmits the contents to the sources of the allegations, as appropriate, for comment. If required, dialogue with the Government is then pursued further. 9. The Special Rapporteur does, where appropriate, acknowledge the existence of persistent acts of violence, including torture, committed by armed groups when these are brought to his attention. However, in transmitting allegations of torture he deals exclusively with Governments, as the authorities bound by the regime for the international legal protection of human rights. 10. The Special Rapporteur maintains contact and, where appropriate, engages in consultation with related bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations human rights machinery, such as the Committee against Torture and other organs of the Commission on Human Rights, the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. 11. The Special Rapporteur does not, as a rule, seek to visit a country in respect of which the United Nations has established a country-specific mechanism such as a special rapporteur on the country, unless a joint visit seems to both to be indicated. As regards countries where the mandates of other thematic mechanisms may also be affected, he seeks consultation with them with a view to exploring with the Government in question, either jointly or in parallel, the possibility of a joint visit. Similarly, where the Committee against Torture is considering the situation in a country under article 20 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or