On 18 December 2002, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a new mechanism: the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Protocol). This report provides guidelines on how to ensure that NPMs are set up with the requisite ingredients for effective and independent functioning, as provided for by the Protocol. The document also includes a copy of the Optional Protocol in the appendices.
