8 CPT: 10TH GENERAL REPORT ACTIVITIES IN 1999 A milestone year for the CPT 1. 1999 was a milestone year for the CPT. It marked the 10th anniversary both of the entry into force (on 2 February 1989) of the Convention which provides for the establishment of the CPT and of the Committee’s actual existence (the inaugural meeting having taken place from 13 to 16 November 1989).1 The CPT felt that this two-fold anniversary offered an appropriate moment to take stock of the Committee’s work to date and to reflect upon the challenges which lie ahead. For this purpose, the CPT organised an event in Strasbourg on 19 November 1999 entitled "The Prevention of Torture at the Dawn of a New Millenium". The 300 participants included many leading anti-torture campaigners from the Council of Europe’s member countries and beyond, as well as government representatives and members of intergovernmental organisations working towards the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. Keynote speeches were given by the Russian politician and human rights activist Sergei Kovalyev and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Cornelio Sommaruga. Other principal speakers included Robert Badinter (former Minister of Justice of France), the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Sir Nigel Rodley. 2. The overall assessment of the CPT’s work during the previous ten years was positive. However, many ideas were mooted concerning ways in which the CPT could further improve its operating methods and develop its activities. These ideas are currently under consideration by the Committee, which is carrying out a comprehensive review of all aspects of its working methods. One recurring theme was the need for greater synergy between the CPT and non-governmental organisations operating at local level. It was felt that this would be particularly beneficial as regards the process of monitoring the implementation by States of the Committee’s recommendations. 1 Another milestone was reached on 20 April 2000 with the beginning of the 100th visit of the CPT, to the North Caucasian region of the Russian Federation. Many participants considered that short and very targeted visits should have a larger place in the CPT’s programme, which currently is dominated by lengthy visits of a periodic nature covering a range of issues. In this connection, the need to enhance the CPT’s rapid-reaction capacity was emphasised. Various types of places of deprivation of liberty which to date have been somewhat neglected by the CPT were also highlighted ; particular reference was made to military detention facilities and "homes" for the aged. The need for the CPT’s visit reports to be better known in the States concerned was also emphasised. In many countries, detailed knowledge of the reports tended to be restricted to ministerial authorities. Not even the institutions visited by the CPT were always properly informed of the Committee’s findings. It was felt that this problem would be largely overcome if funds could be found to translate CPT reports into the languages of States visited. A number of participants considered that the CPT should seek to develop the "assistance" aspect of its activities. Many States wholeheartedly agreed with the Committee’s recommendations, but argued - quite convincingly - that implementation of those recommendations was beyond their current means. One possibility would be to develop channels through which certain of the CPT’s recommendations with substantial financial implications, in particular those relating to a country’s infrastructure, could be submitted for consideration to other international organisations which may have the necessary funds at their disposal. Another approach might be to set up, within the framework of the Council of Europe, a special fund to assist States to implement the CPT’s recommendations ; the resources of such a fund could come from both governmental and non-governmental sources. Reference was also made to Protocol No. 1 to the Convention, which should soon enter into force and will "open" the Convention to accession by nonmember States of the Council of Europe (cf. also paragraphs 15 and 16). The extension of the CPT’s activities beyond the framework of the Council of Europe was seen as an exciting prospect ; however, potential pitfalls were also highlighted. Would not such a development risk placing an undue burden on the Committee’s already stretched resources? Further, concern was expressed that a considerable extension of the CPT’s activities beyond the European continent could complicate current efforts to establish a worldwide system of visits to places of deprivation of liberty.