CAT/OP/CYP/1 H. Other issues Reprisals 99. The Subcommittee wishes to emphasize that any form of intimidation or reprisal against persons deprived of their liberty constitutes a violation of the State party’s obligation to cooperate with the Subcommittee under the Optional Protocol. 100. The Subcommittee calls upon the State party to ensure that no one who cooperated or met with the Subcommittee during its visit to Cyprus is subject to sanctions, in accordance with article 15 of the Optional Protocol. III. Final recommendations 101. The Subcommittee regards its visit and the present report as the commencement of a constructive dialogue with the Government of Cyprus. The Subcommittee stands ready to assist the State party, insofar as it is able, in fulfilling its obligations under the Optional Protocol, in particular through the provision of technical assistance and advice, in order to achieve the common goal of preventing torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty. 102. The Subcommittee emphasizes that its visit provides Cyprus with an ideal opportunity to demonstrate its goodwill and its readiness to fulfil its international obligations under the Optional Protocol. 103. The Subcommittee recalls that prevention of torture constitutes an ongoing and wide-ranging obligation of the State party. The Subcommittee requests that the State party keep the Subcommittee informed of any legislative and policy changes and of other relevant developments regarding the national preventive mechanism, in order that it might continue to assist the State party in fulfilling its obligations under the Optional Protocol. 104. The present report will remain confidential until such time as the State decides to make it public, as stipulated in article 16 (2) of the Optional Protocol. 105. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party distribute the present report to all relevant government departments and institutions. It also recommends that the State party make the report public, as doing so is in itself a preventive measure, and requests that it be notified of the State party’s decision in that regard. 106. The Subcommittee draws the State party’s attention to the Special Fund established under article 26 of the Optional Protocol. The recommendations contained in public reports on visits of the Subcommittee can form the basis of an application for the funding of specific projects in accordance with the rules of the Special Fund.4 4 16 See www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Fund/Pages/SpecialFund.aspx.