20 years of the CPT Table 2. Number of CPT visits, 1990-2009 (2009 estimated) Table 3. Number of visit days, 1990-2009 (2009 estimated) 200 Days: ad hoc visits 180 Days: periodic visits 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 34 36 39 46 71 72 44 52 50 53 13 9 0 10 37 13 20 36 23 37 57 66 62 56 71 73 83 107 117 123 123 115 100 103 108 108 120 108 111 49 14. On a more positive note, the recent advent of universal machinery for the prevention of torture and other forms of severe ill-treatment raises exciting prospects, provided that this machinery is itself properly resourced. The CPT has put a premium on developing relations with the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), so as to ensure the greatest possible synergy between the activities of the two bodies. The CPT also looks forward to working closely with the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) to be set up, under the guidance of the SPT, in European States that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture. The CPT is a long-standing advocate of such monitoring bodies at domestic level, and the NPMs should be among the Committee’s most important interlocutors. 11