MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE 55 4.1 Coordination between domestic visiting bodies In a situation where several domestic visiting bodies exist within one country (for example national NGOs and an Ombudsperson), it is particularly important that they establish ways of coordinating their monitoring activities. Degrees of cooperation may vary: exchange of information on the monitoring activities, complementary action, co-operation on specific issues, or even partnership. This coordination remains essential, even when one or several of these domestic bodies are designated as a “national preventive mechanism” under the OPCAT. The aim of the OPCAT is not to reduce the number of monitoring bodies but to enhance their effectiveness. Coordination will enhance the efficiency of the monitoring programme and will also make it more effective in the eyes of the authorities. Coordination should also be sought with field offices of international organisations (United Nations Human Rights Field Offices, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Coordination should also be sought with the ICRC. Although technically an international organisation, in countries where it is present, its working methods in the area of detention resemble those of a domestic visiting body rather than an international one. 4.2 Coordination between international and national visiting bodies As seen above, the OPCAT emphasises direct contact between the “national preventive mechanisms” and the Sub-Committee. This is essential to ensure complementary efforts by these bodies. Whilst the OPCAT only expressly provides for direct contacts between the designated national preventive mechanism(s) and the Sub-Committee, it is nevertheless likely to make the activities of other domestic bodies more effective if they also submit information and reports to the SubCommittee.