FUNDING Special Fund established by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2002 and entered into force in June 2006. OP-CAT created a two-pillar system at the international and national levels to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places where persons may be deprived of their liberty. At the international level, it established the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT), which has been in operation since February 2007. SPT is mandated to visit all places of detention in States Parties and provide assistance and advice to States Parties and NPMs. The Special Fund was established by article 26 of OP-CAT to help finance the implementation of recommendations issued by SPT after a visit to a State Party and to support education programmes for NPMs. The Fund became operational in 2011. During the period 2014-2018, the OP-CAT Special Fund supported 72 projects in 22 countries with grants amounting to US$1,850,780. In 2019, the Fund awarded grants amounting 126 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2019 to US$276,494 to support 12 prevention projects in 10 States Parties to the Optional Protocol. In 2019, the Fund received contributions and pledges of US$290,814, which enabled the launch of the 2020 Call for Applications. The projects that were supported by the Fund resulted in legislative, institutional and operational changes, as well as concrete changes in people’s lives. Since 2017, the projects supported by the Fund have focused on the establishment or strengthening of the effective functioning of NPMs with a view to increasing the preventive impact of the Fund. The projects included drafting laws to establish NPMs in accordance with the Optional Protocol; elaborating calls for nominations, terms of reference and the organization of public hearings on NPM candidates; the training of NPM members on international standards concerning torture and ill-treatment, reporting and monitoring techniques; developing strategic plans for NPMs and supporting operational efficiency; elaborating NPM documents (annual reports, leaflets, posters); supporting collaboration between NPMs and other stakeholders; and promoting the visibility of NPMs through public meetings and radio campaigns. OP-CAT SPECIAL FUND VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURE IN 2019 Donor US$ Czech Republic 8,703 France 55,741 Germany 85,227 Norway 108,319 Spain 32,823 TOTAL 290,814 EXPENDITURE 134,898