UNCAT Briefing Paper 5. How can international partner organisations such as the APT assist States with ratification and implementation? International partners, including the APT, can assist States with each stage of the ratification and implementation of the UNCAT and its Optional Protocol. Both before and after ratification, partners can help prepare key stakeholders for implementation of the Convention, with trainings and materials to raise awareness of the Convention and its principal obligations. Most recently, the APT has been invited to Myanmar to deliver trainings and engage in discussions with the National Human Rights Commission and representatives from Government Departments, to answer questions and consider issues arising from possible ratification of the UNCAT, OPCAT and other human rights instruments. The APT can also deliver more specific advice and assistance to key sectors, such as police and corrections services, if requested. As noted above, sustainable and systematic training should be mainstreamed into existing training curriculum, and States might welcome some assistance in the design and testing-phase of such training, and for partners to help develop specific training materials which respond to the unique character of any State. Several international partner organisations, including the APT, routinely provide advice and assistance to governments and parliamentarians on the adoption of key legal and policy frameworks for the prohibition and prevention of torture. By providing long-term support to the process of legal reform, the APT has assisted in the adoption of legislation in Thailand, Nepal, South Africa, the Maldives, the Philippines among other countries. In Uganda, the APT has recently been active to help facilitate meetings with key government stakeholders to develop a plan for the implementation of the UNCAT. 6 The development of a roadmap is a useful tool for the effective implementation of key obligations among a number of government departments. Finally, international partners should be able to signpost States to a number of other relevant partners who can further assist States in the implementation of human rights obligations. For instance, the APT is an implementing partner of the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI), 7 which bring States together to share legal advice and technical assistance for the ratification and implementation of the UNCAT. 6 7 See http://www.apt.ch/en/news_on_prevention/uganda-roadmap-for-torture-prevention/#.U5cEqPmSzxA. See http://www.apt.ch/en/convention-against-torture-initiative/. 7