ÎÎEDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS The educational and communication function of NPMs includes educational, training and awarenessraising programmes. NPMs should publicize their opinions, findings and other relevant information to increase public awareness of the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. NPMs should contribute, if possible, to informing all those in places of deprivation of liberty about the Optional Protocol, the concept of prevention of torture and ill-treatment, the NPMs’ mandates, and the corresponding obligations of the respective authorities, including the detention authorities. In order to increase their institutional visibility, NPMs should develop strategies for making their mandates and work known to the general public and develop simple, accessible procedures through which the general public can provide them with relevant information. NPMs could, for example, produce and distribute further material on their mandates and activities in various languages to a wide range of audiences, including detention personnel, detainees, civil society at large, and professional associations such as those of lawyers and the judiciary. INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMES ON COMMUNITY RADIOS A project by the Senegalese National Preventive Mechanism, supported by the OPCAT Special Fund The National Preventive Mechanism, the National Observer of Places of Deprivation of Liberty (ONLPL) and OHCHR hosted two interactive programmes on community radios on the theme "National Observer of places of deprivation of liberty" in 2015 and 2016. During the broadcast, interventions by the public included questions relating to the nature of the fundamental rights of persons deprived of liberty as well as how they are guaranteed. ONLPL used this opportunity to remind the public of the legal framework relating to police custody and to stress the absolute nature of the prohibition of torture. In addition, the broadcast detailed the legal remedies available to victims of torture. ONLPL also used the programme to highlight that the effectiveness of its mandate depends on the ability to make unannounced visits without hindrance by the State authorities. NPMs should assist schools, universities and professional bodies in: uuformulating teaching programmes on the prohibition and prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; uucarrying out research; and uutaking part in the delivery of educational programmes. NPMs should examine the curricula of educational institutions for professionals who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any persons subjected to any form of detention, to ensure that education and information on the prohibition of torture is fully included in the training. CHECKLIST: THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONALS ;; Law enforcement personnel, civil or military ;; Medical personnel ;; Public officials ;; Judiciary ;; Members of Parliament ;; Professional associations (lawyers, judiciary) 30 I PREVENTING TORTURE: THE ROLE OF NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS – A PRACTICAL GUIDE