What is the target audience of an NPM annual report? The annual report is an essential communication tool. It helps to make the NPM mandate and work better known and understood by a broad audience, including non-specialists and the media. The target audience of the report can therefore be quite large. Many actors may have an interest in NPM activities, including national civil society organisations, as well as organisations working specifically on torture prevention and detention issues, academic researchers, bar associations, practitioners working in relevant areas, and persons deprived of their liberty and their relatives. At the global level, many institutions, in particular the SPT and other NPMs, will have an interest in NPM activities. Nevertheless, the primary target of NPM annual reports should be the national authorities to whom the recommendations are addressed, including the three branches of government (the executive, legislative and judicial) and “operational” authorities in charge of detention facilities. Prior to embarking on the drafting of its annual report, it is therefore key for the NPM to agree internally on the main target audience and to adapt the style and format of the report accordingly. A key consideration, when defining the format of those reports, is their readability and accessibility (for example publication in an accessible format for persons with visual impairments), bearing in mind that the audience for such reports can be very broad. What should be the content of an NPM annual report? Different factors influence the content of an NPM annual report, in particular: whether it is a first annual report; whether the NPM publishes other types of reports (for example, visit or thematic reports); whether the NPM is part of a broader institution (for example, a National Human Rights Institution or ombuds institution), is composed of multiple institutions or is a new specialised institution. Regardless of the type of NPM, an annual report can include: • General issues, including mandate and structure • A foreword (for example written by a known national expert, to increase interest in the report, or, in the case of a multiple body NPM, written and signed by all the chairs of the institutions who make up the NPM). • A short introduction on the OPCAT and background on NPM designation and establishment processes and legal basis. In the first annual report, the NPM can include a longer background section related to the designation and establishment processes, legal basis and structure of the NPM. • An introduction to NPM working methods and the NPM approach. This is useful as a pedagogical tool for institutions visited, as well as for accountability, but also for the sake of sharing and learning between NPMs, and possibly to inspire other control and monitoring bodies. In cases where the description of methods sparks discussion, this can also be an opportunity for the NPM to reflect on its approach or enter into further explanations about why its particular methods are preferred. • An overview of NPM structure, resources and finances. Activities, themes and issues 24 • An overview of key NPM activities during the year (visits, observations on legislation, training and awareness-raising if relevant), including both quantitative and qualitative information. • An analysis of the most important findings and recommendations from visit reports (especially if they are not public). • An overview of progress made (or lack thereof) in the implementation of NPM recommendations, how the authorities are responding to NPM recommendations and the changes that have occurred. NPM Toolkit for Asia Pacific NPM-NHRIs