What you need to know for the NGO Briefings at the hearing in Geneva: 20 • Briefings are split into two parts: intro statements by participating NGOs and Q & A with the Committee, with the country rapporteurs taking the lead. The briefing is interpreted into the six UN languages. • Make sure that you coordinate with other NGOs attending the session well in advance of the session. It is important to ensure that you distribute speaking time equally between NGO speakers and avoid repetition. The Committee’s secretariat may be helpful in establishing contact with other NGOs attending the session. More info can be found on the Committee’s NGO page: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/follow_up_ngo.htm • If possible, provide the secretariat with copies of written statements and a speakers list immediately before the sessions starts. This will facilitate interpretation and give Committee members an overview of the subjects that are about to be covered. • Keep it short. The briefing lasts only one hour, and you need to leave time for a Q&A with committee members. It is not possible to know in advance what Committee members already know and where they would like additional information. It is therefore important to leave sufficient time for them to ask questions and for detailed responses. Total time for introductory statements should not be more than 20 minutes. • Despite the limited time, speak slowly. Limited comprehensible information is better than more information that no one understands because you speak too fast. Most people cannot make themselves understood if they speak more than 150 words per minute, and it can be difficult for interpreters to keep up. Make a written version of your intro statement and make sure that it does not exceed your allocated time. • Introductory statements should mainly focus on outlining the main points in your submission and providing updates on any recent developments. Do not go into detail on issues already covered in written reports. If relevant, make reference to specific sections in your report rather than reading them out. • If there is limited time for responses, make sure you respond to questions from country rapporteurs since they will be leading the review. You can explicitly offer to get back to individual members on specific questions after the briefing is over if you do not have enough time to answer their questions. • If you do not have the answer to a question, either offer to get back at a later time before the oral hearing starts or simply say that you do not have the answer. There is no shame in this. Never provide answers that you are not 100% certain are factually correct. • Make a note of which Committee members ask questions about your priority issues so that you know who is more likely to bring up these issues. Engaging with State reviews in the UN Committee against Torture: A practical guide