CAT/OP/ECU/2 I. Introduction 1. In accordance with its mandate as set forth in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the Optional Protocol”), the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the Subcommittee”) visited Ecuador from 1 to 4 September 2014. 2. The Subcommittee was represented by the following members: Ms. Margarida Pressburger, Mr. Felipe Villavicencio Terreros (head of the delegation) and Wilder Tayler-Souto. 3. The delegation of the Subcommittee was assisted by two human rights officers and one security officer from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). 4. The purpose of the visit was to provide advisory services and technical assistance to the national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of Ecuador (hereinafter referred to as the “national preventive mechanism”) as specified in article 11 (b), subparagraphs (ii) and (iii), of the Optional Protocol. The visit was also intended to assist in building the capacity and reinforcing the mandate of the national preventive mechanism and in evaluating the needs and the means necessary to strengthen the protection of persons deprived of their liberty from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in Ecuador. Furthermore, the visit provided an opportunity for establishing cooperative ties between the Subcommittee and the national preventive mechanism of Ecuador in accordance with the provisions of article 20 (f) of the Optional Protocol. To this end, this report sets out recommendations and observations for the benefit of the national preventive mechanism, as stipulated in article 1 (b), subparagraph (iv), of the Optional Protocol. 5. Given that the main purpose of the visit was to provide advisory services and technical assistance to the national preventive mechanism, a series of meetings were held with the Ombudsman and staff of the national preventive mechanism itself in order to discuss working methods and explore ways of strengthening and increasing its effectiveness. In order to observe the national preventive mechanism’s working methodology in action, the Subcommittee visited two centres of deprivation of liberty together with members of the mechanism (see annex II). The centres were chosen by mutual agreement. During the visits, the national preventive m echanism used its habitual working methodology. The members of the Subcommittee adopted the role of observers. During its visit, the Subcommittee also met with State party authorities, the President of the Specialized Standing Committee for Citizen Partici pation and Social Control of the National Assembly and civil society organizations (see annex I). 6. In accordance with its mandate under article 11 (b), paragraphs (ii) and (iii), the Subcommittee submitted a separate report to the State party with recomm endations formulated on the basis of its visit. 7. The Subcommittee wishes to express its gratitude to the Ombudsman and the staff members of the national preventive mechanism for their warm welcome and the assistance provided during the visit and for the interest they showed in cooperating with the Subcommittee in the effective implementation of its mandate under the Optional Protocol. GE.15-11962 3/20