20 5. The Special Rapporteur shall submit an annual report to the Commission. The report shall be published and widely disseminated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTING THE MANDATE 6. The Special Rapporteur shall seek and receive information from States Parties to the Charter, individuals, national and international organisations and institutions as well as other relevant bodies on cases or situations which fall within the scope of the mandate described above. 7. In order to discharge his mandate effectively the Special Rapporteur should be given all the necessary assistance and cooperation to carry out on-site visits and receive information from individuals who have been deprived of their liberty, their families or representatives, from governmental or non- governmental organisations and individuals. 8. The Special Rapporteur shall seek co-operation with States Parties and assurance from the latter that persons, organisations or institutions rendering or providing information to the Special Rapporteur shall not be prejudiced thereby. Every effort will be made to place at the disposal of the Special Rapporteur resources to carry out his/her mandate. DURATION OF THE MANDATE 10. This mandate will last for an initial period of two years which may be renewed by the Commission. MANDATE PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS 11. The Special Rapporteur shall focus on the following activities and in each case shall pay attention to problems related to gender: 11.1 Evaluate conditions of detention, highlighting the main problem areas including: prison conditions, health issues, arbitrary or extra-legal detention or imprisonment, treatment of people deprived of their liberty; and conditions of detention of especially vulnerable groups 21 such as: refugees, persons suffering from physical or mental disabilities, or children. The special Rapporteur shall draw on information and data provided by the States and other relevant sources. 11.2 Make specific recommendations with a view to a) improving prisons conditions and conditions of detention in Africa and b) establishing early warning mechanisms in order to avoid disasters and epidemics in places of detention. 11.3 Promote the implementation of the Kampala Declaration on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa. 11.4 Propose revised terms of reference if necessary, at the end of the two year-period to the African Commission and an overall programme for the following stage.