48 A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for lawyers es of detention which others cannot visit. The ICRC has its own network and personnel, and functions independently of other organisations. Nonetheless, it is willing to receive information about patterns of violations or enquiries about specific detainees or missing persons which it may be in a position to follow up. It prefers to receive such information directly from relatives, but will accept it from NGOs on the understanding that the confidentiality protecting its work means that the NGO should not expect to receive feedback on any action taken. In the case of missing or disappeared persons, it may send a response to the family. In general, it will seek to make direct contact with the family before it decides to take action. Its guiding principle is that any action it takes is on behalf and in the name of the detainees themselves, not of other organisations. If information is passed on to the ICRC, it should be as detailed as possible about the arrest and detention. As a general rule, the ICRC will tend to act more readily in cases indicating a pattern than in individual cases. Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa Kairaba Avenue, P.O. Box 673 Banjul, Gambia Telephone: +220 392 962 Fax: +220 390 764 Email: achpr@achpr.gm b. European Committee for the Prevention of Torture The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) visits places of detention in State Members of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (in co-operation with national authorities) and examines the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty with a view to strengthening the protection of detainees against torture. Lawyers in countries that are Members to this Convention can submit information to the Committee on situations of concern. 2. REGIONAL MECHANISMS a. Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa The primary functions of the Special Rapporteur are monitoring and fact-finding but it can receive information from individuals and NGOs. Reports issued by the Special Rapporteur on visits to prisons include allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners and detainees in police stations plus recommendations on how the relevant national authorities should address identified concerns.193 It was created by a 1996 resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and it is comprised of one independent expert that examines situations of persons deprived of their liberty within the territories of States. European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment c/o Council of Europe 67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France Telephone: +33 3 88 41 39 39 Fax: +33 3 88 41 27 72 Email: cptdoc@coe.int web: www.cpt.coe.int (The Torture Reporting Handbook194 (http://w w w.essex.ac.uk/tor turehandbook/ handbook(english-complete).doc) contains detailed procedures on submitting information to the CPT on page 108.)