Morocco: establishing thematic working groups To assist with the development of its 2008-2016 national human rights action plan the Prime Minister established a large steering committee chaired by the Ministry of Justice and comprised of representatives from government ministries, the NHRI, civil society, unions, the media and professional bodies. Thematic working groups were established to provide expert input into the development of particular strategic objectives, including on the prohibition and prevention of torture. A series of regional consultations were held as part of a broad participatory approach. A coordination mechanism was also established to monitor, follow-up and evaluate the implementation of the Plan. Uganda: improving cooperation among justice agencies The “Chain Link Initiative” in the Masaka Magisterial district in Uganda was created as a pilot strategy to address overcrowding within prisons and strengthen the criminal justice system. In recognition that the justice agencies are all part of the same chain that makes up the administration of justice, a strategy was put in place to help the various agencies to work more closely together. The strategy included joint meetings to improve case management, and joint prison visits carried out to address overcrowding concerns, including identifying and ordering the release of prisoners found to be arbitrarily detained. The Chain Link initiative led to the introduction of a co-ordinated approach to planning and budgeting at a national level for the Justice, Law and Order sector programme in Uganda. “ None of us can truthfully say that we have a clean record on this issue. But much is being done to reduce the risk of torture and ill-treatment, including by improving safeguards in places of detention by building capacities and training police and prison officials on relevant standards, reforming national legislation and institutions, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing remedies for victims, and making sure the public are aware of their rights and can exercise them.” H.E. Mr. Sammie Eddico, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations in Geneva, to the CTI’s Annual Forum, Geneva, 2016. INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY BUILDING  Some States have developed torture prevention strategies to support institutional strengthening processes and help build capacity of staff. Strategies can identify and acknowledge areas of policy and practice within institutions that need to be improved and subsequently to integrate agreed measures within planning and resource allocation processes, as well as to provide training and professional development programmes for staff. Georgia: implementing strategies for professional, transparent policing practices Since 2004, following a peaceful change in power, a series of police reforms have been undertaken with the aim of putting into operation legal safeguards and promoting transparent and professional police practices. Strategies to improve the treatment of individuals by the police have included enhanced human rights education within the police training curriculum and action to address corruption with the police services. Efforts to improve the professionalism of the police have also included abolishing “problem units” and recruiting new police officers, increasing pay and ensuring the police service is better equipped to undertake their law enforcement role in conformity with human rights standards. TOOL: State strategies to prevent and respond to torture and other ill-treatment or punishment 6/8