Preparing reports for the CAT The process of preparing their reports for the treaty bodies not only as an aspect of the fulfilment of their international obligations, but also as an opportunity to take stock of the state of human rights protection within their jurisdiction for the purpose of policy planning and implementation, by (a) conducting a comprehensive review of the measures it has taken to harmonize national law and policy with the provisions of the relevant international human rights treaties to which it is a party; (b) monitoring progress made in promoting the enjoyment of the rights set forth in the treaties in the context of the promotion of human rights in general; (c) identifying problems and shortcomings in its approach to the implementation of the treaties; and (d) planning and developing appropriate policies to achieve these goals. Reports are expected to address both the de jure and the de facto situation with regard to the implementation of the provisions of the treaties to which States are a party. The reporting process encourages and facilitates public scrutiny of government policies and constructive engagement with relevant actors of civil society conducted in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, with the aim of advancing the enjoyment by all of the rights protected by the relevant convention. The stages of the CAT reporting system: 1. Committee receives a report from a State 2. two CAT members acting as country rapporteurs analyse the report and draft a List of Issues (LOI). 3. Committee considers and adopts a final LOI at a session in Geneva 4. Committee sends the LOI to the State and designates the next session in Geneva for examination of the report 5. the State Party replies to the LOI before the designated session 6. NGOs and NHRIs may submit info to the CAT in writing before the session 7. Committee meets NGOs and NHRIs in private before examinating the report 8. the State’s delegation and the CAT have an interactive dialogue at the public session (accredited NGOs and NHRIS may attend but not intervene) 9. Committee adopts concluding observations, including concerns and recommendations, reflecting the Committee’s position on implementation of the Convention in the State Party and of its previous recommendations some of which are to be followed-up within one year. 21