CAT/C/SEN/CO/3 National preventive mechanism and national human rights institutions 23. While noting that the National Observatory of Places of Detention has been designated as the national preventive mechanism, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Committee remains concerned about the reported cut in the mechanism’s funding. It is also concerned that the Senegalese Human Rights Committee is reportedly underfunded and that its procedures for selecting and appointing members appear not to be in line with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (the Paris Principles) (annex to General Assembly resolution 48/134) (arts. 2 and 12). The State party should: (a) Provide the National Observatory of Places of Detention with the resources it needs to effectively fulfil its mandate as the Senegalese national preventive mechanism, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the guidelines on national preventive mechanisms drawn up by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. The State party should ensure that the police, prosecutors, military personnel, prison staff and medical personnel cooperate with the Observatory, and that its recommendations to the authorities are followed up with practical measures to improve the situation in prisons and prevent torture. The Committee also recommends that the State party publish the report produced by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture following its visit to Senegal in December 2012. (b) Take into account the comments made by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to ensure that the Senegalese Human Rights Committee operates in accordance with the Paris Principles. Confidential complaints mechanism 24. The Committee regrets that no confidential complaints mechanism has been set up to enable detainees to lodge a complaint for torture or ill-treatment (arts. 2 and 16). The State party should establish a confidential mechanism to receive and consider complaints of torture or ill-treatment, and should ensure that such a mechanism is set up in all places of detention, especially prisons. In fact, this mechanism would make an important contribution to the work of the National Observatory of Places of Detention. Training 25. The Committee notes that the State party has organized human rights training courses for police officers and members of the National Gendarmerie. However, it regrets the lack of information on the evaluation of these courses and their impact on reducing the number of cases of torture and ill-treatment. The Committee is also concerned that the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol) is not followed (art. 10). The State party should organize training courses for the State agents listed in article 10 of the Convention, especially civil or military law-enforcement personnel and medical personnel. In order to enable these individuals to better detect and document the signs of torture and ill-treatment, the Istanbul Protocol should be an integral part 8 GE.13-40312