65. In November 2002, the non-governmental organizations World Organization against Torture and Action by Christians against Torture (hereinafter, the “NGOs”) submitted information to the Committee on the alleged systematic practice of torture in Brazil and requested the Committee to examine the situation in Brazil under article 20 of the Convention. This information summarized a previous report prepared by seven Brazilian NGOs working with prisons and detention centres concerning allegations of torture in the State of São Paulo for the period between 2000 and 2002. 66. During its twenty-ninth session in November 2002, the Committee examined the information submitted by the NGOs in private meetings and considered that the information was reliable and that it contained well-founded indications that torture was being systematically practised in Brazil. 67. At its 591st (closed) meeting, on 21 November 2003, the Committee decided to undertake a confidential inquiry and designated Mr. Claudio Grossman, Mr. Fernando Mariño and Mr. Ole Vedel Rasmmussen to conduct the inquiry. The Committee invited the Government of Brazil to cooperate with the Committee in the conduct of the inquiry, and accordingly, to appoint an accredited representative to meet with the members designated by the Committee; provide the latter with any information that they or the Government might consider useful; and indicate any other form of cooperation which might facilitate the conduct of the inquiry. This decision was transmitted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil on 4 December 2003. 68. The Government of Brazil requested the postponement of the visit twice and, by note verbale dated 3 February 2005, the State party informed the Committee that it accepted its visit and agreed that it take place in July 2005. The visit took place from 13 to 29 July 2005. It was undertaken by Mr. Fernando Mariño Menendez and Mr. Claudio Grossman. Mr. Rasmussen was unable to participate in the visit. 69. On 1 June 2006, the Committee adopted the “Report on Brazil, produced by the Committee against Torture, under article 20 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT/C/36/R.1/Add.1)” and, in accordance with article 20, paragraph 4, of the Convention, decided to transmit it to the Government of Brazil. At the same time, the Committee invited the Government to inform it of the action taken with regard to its findings and in response to its conclusions and recommendations. 70. In its conclusions, the Committee noted that the Government of Brazil fully cooperated with the Committee’s visit, constantly expressed its awareness and concern with the seriousness of the existing problems, as well as its political will to improve. However, the Committee noted that tens of thousands of persons were still held in delegacias and elsewhere in the penitentiary system where torture and similar ill-treatment continued to be meted out on a widespread and systematic basis. 71. On 16 April 2007, the Government submitted the information requested, whereby it informed the Committee that Brazil was already complying or considering compliance with the recommendations contained in the report. It stated that many of the measures responding to the 100