Article 20
1.
If the Committee receives reliable information which appears to it to contain well-founded
indications that torture is being systematically practised in the territory of a State Party, the
Committee shall invite that State Party to co-operate in the examination of the information
and to this end to submit observations with regard to the information concerned.
2.
Taking into account any observations which may have been submitted by the State Party
concerned, as well as any other relevant information available to it, the Committee may, if it
decides that this is warranted, designate one or more of its members to make a confidential
inquiry and to report to the Committee urgently.
3.
If an inquiry is made in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, the Committee shall seek
the co-operation of the State Party concerned. In agreement with that State Party, such an
inquiry may include a visit to its territory.
4.
After examining the findings of its member or members submitted in accordance with
paragraph 2 of this article, the Commission shall transmit these findings to the State Party
concerned together with any comments or suggestions which seem appropriate in view of
the situation.
5.
All the proceedings of the Committee referred to in paragraphs I to 4 of th is article s hall be
confidential , and at all stages of the proceedings the co-operation of the State Party shall
be sought. After such proceedings have been completed with regard to an inquiry made in
accordance with paragraph 2, the Committee may, after consultations with the State Party
concerned, decide to include a summary account of the results of the proceedings in its
annual report made in accordance with article 24.
Article 21
1.
A State Party to this Convention may at any time declare under this article that it
recognizes the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications to
the effect that a State Party claims that another State Party is not fulfilling its obligations
under this Convention. Such communications may be received and considered according
to the procedures laid down in this article only if submitted by a State Party which has
made a declaration recognizing in regard to itself the competence of the Committee. No
communication shall be dealt with by the Committee under this article if it concerns a State
Party which has not made such a declaration. Communications received under this article
shall be dealt with in accordance with the following procedure;
46