A/HRC/4/33/Add.2 Page 106 independientes para la prevención de la tortura en el plano interno. El Relator Especial considera que esos mecanismos internos independientes de control e inspección son una herramienta adicional importante para impedir y suprimir la tortura y los malos tratos, y pueden ejercer efectos beneficiosos en las personas privadas de libertad en todos los países, incluida España. 602. Según fuentes no gubernamentales, en abril de 2006, el Gobierno ratificó el Protocolo Facultativo a la Convención contra la Tortura y otros Tratos o Penas Crueles, Inhumanos o Degradantes. Sin embargo, aun no se han designado los mecanismos nacionales de prevención. A este respecto, las organizaciones no gubernamentales instan al Estado español a que consulte a todos los actores relevantes de la sociedad civil y tenga en cuenta sus observaciones, para garantizar que los mecanismos nacionales de prevención, una vez establecidos, gozarán de la independencia y credibilidad necesarias para funcionar eficazmente. 603. El Gobierno español informa de que el Protocolo Facultativo de la Convención contra la Tortura y otros Tratos o Penas Crueles, Inhumanos o Degradantes entró en vigor el 22 de junio de 2006. El Ministerio del Interior está abordando la materialización de los compromisos que supone la puesta en marcha del referido Protocolo. Turkey Follow-up to the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur in the report of his visit to Turkey in November 1998 (E/CN.4/1999/61/Add.1, para. 113). 604. By letters dated 31 October and 13 December 2006, and 9 February 2007 the Government provided the following information. 605. The Special Rapporteur congratulates Turkey for having signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ,and encourages its speedy ratification and implementation. He also welcomes the many positive steps taken by the Government, such as the “zero tolerance policy” vis-à-vis torture, a large range of improved safeguards against torture and professional training for lawenforcement bodies (see also the Conclusions of the Special Rapporteur on Promoting and Protecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the Fight Against Terrorism (A/HRC/4/26/Add.2, para. 84), and the Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Mission to Turkey (A/HRC/4/040/Add.5, para. 68). He also notes with satisfaction that audioand video equipment has been installed in many interrogation facilities and that, according to the Government, more will follow. 606. However, he is concerned about the new anti-terror legislation that was adopted on 29 June 2006, which risks to reverse the positive trends by, for instance, restricting the number of defence lawyers during the pre-trial period to one person and allowing for a 24- hour period before a detained person can meet with his/her lawyer under certain conditions (see A/HRC/4/040/Add.5, paras. 41 and 73). Combating impunity is a key-element in combating torture. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur considers that the trials of alleged perpetrators are still often lengthy and the number of those brought to justice insufficient (as can be seen from the table below). Also, in line with his earlier recommendations, the Special Rapporteur echoes the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism, who recommended to the Turkish