International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions (b) to make recommendations to the relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and the conditions of the persons deprived of their liberty and to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (c) to submit proposals and observations concerning existing or draft legislation.230 States parties are to grant their NPMs: (a) access to all information concerning the number of persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention, as well as the number of places and their location (b) access to all information referring to the treatment of those persons as well as their conditions of detention (c) access to all places of detention and their installations and facilities (d) the opportunity to have private interviews with the persons deprived of their liberty without witnesses, either personally or with a translator if deemed necessary, as well as with any other person who the national preventive mechanism believes may supply relevant information (e) the liberty to choose the places they want to visit and the persons they want to interview (f) the right to have contacts with the Subcommittee on Prevention, to send it information and to meet with it.231 NPMs have a particular relationship with the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and can be especially useful sources of information and advice to the Subcommittee, including in relation to the desirability of the Subcommittee making a country visit. The Subcommittee has published guidelines for NPMs232 and a more detailed “self-assessment tool” for their operation.233 NHRIs have been designated as the NPM in the Maldives and as the principal NPM in New Zealand.234 The Philippines has ratified the OPCAT but has not yet designated an NPM; it has indicated an intention to designate its NHRI. 5.2. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) also provides specifically for the establishment or designation of an independent national mechanism to promote, protect and monitor implementation of the CRPD, taking into account the Paris Principles.235 Unlike the OPCAT, the CRPD does not provide guidance on what the nature and role of the mechanism should be. However, because of their national monitoring role, these mechanisms should make a significant contribution to international treaty monitoring by the TMB discussed in this chapter of the manual. OHCHR has produced a guide to monitoring the CRPD in its professional training series.236 230 OPCAT; article 19. 231 OPCAT; article 20. 232 Guidelines on National Preventive Mechanisms; Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture; 9 December 2010; see: www2.ohchr. org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/mechanisms.htm. 233 Analytical self-assessment tool for National Preventive Mechanisms; Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture; 6 February 2012; see: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/mechanisms.htm. 234 See: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/mechanisms.htm. 235 CRPD; article 33.2. 236 Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Guidance for Human Rights Monitors; Professional Training Series No. 17, OHCHR; 2010. 80 | Chapter 11: Treaty monitoring bodies: Monitoring compliance