of the main ways that NPMs can engage with international and regional bodies. For many NPMs, the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) is a key interlocutor in this regard. Information provided by NPMs is considered by the CAT at each stage of the reporting cycle. Like other treaty bodies, CAT recommendations may deal with substantive issues relating to torture and ill-treatment but, of particular importance to NPMs, they can also relate to the NPM itself. By providing accurate information to the CAT, NPMs can thus use it as a powerful way to advocate for more independence, for more resources, or for change in relation to specific or thematic detention issues. First, NPMs can submit written information to the Committee as it prepares its List of Issues (LOI) and List of Issues Prior to Reporting (LOIPR) – the two documents that form the basis for the state report and eventual examination by the Committee. By submitting information for the LOI and LOIPR, NPMs have an opportunity to influence the focus and priority areas that are considered by the Committee. Second, NPMs can submit written information to the Committee for the examination of the State party’s report. This will usually happen once the state has submitted its report and is an opportunity for the NPM to submit additional information and questions that it thinks that the Committee should take into consideration. Third, NPMs that have submitted written information can take part in one-hour closed-door briefings with the Committee during the session, immediately before the dialogue with the state party delegation. These meetings, which include interpretation, if needed, are an opportunity to meet with the members of the Committee and to discuss confidentially any additional information that they might think is particularly relevant. Forth, NPMs can attend the examination of the state party report, although they are not able to intervene during these sessions. Finally, the Committee has a follow-up procedure relating to concerns and recommendations in its concluding observations that are particularly serious, protective and that can be achieved within one year. NPMs also have an opportunity to submit written information to the Committee on the implementation of these recommendations. As with the CAT, written information provided by NPMs can influence the issues that each committee chooses to focus on and the content of their reports. Where their recommendations relate to NPM priorities, it may also be useful to reference them in NPM reports and to provide shadow reports to the committees in relation to state progress on implementation. Finally, in addition to the periodic review cycle, NPMs can also provide input on draft general comments on different articles, as they are prepared by each committee. This can be an interesting opportunity to contribute to the development of law and standards that are relevant to their work. The Universal Periodic Review NPMs can also reinforce their national work through engagements with the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. The UPR aims to review the “fulfilment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments based on human rights treaties and other instruments that they have ratified”.1 It takes place every four years through a process in which each State is reviewed by the HRC through a working group of the whole membership, followed by discussion and decision in plenary. The UPR Working Group meets three times a year for two weeks and reviews 14 States each time. The UPR involves five main steps and there is an opportunity for NPM involvement at each stage. The first stage is documentation. The review is based on information from three sources: information provided by the state, a compilation prepared by the OHCHR of UN reports and official documents, and a summary (prepared by OHCHR) of “[a]dditional, credible and reliable information provided by other relevant stakeholders”.2 Information provided by NPM is often included in this last category. NPMs may also wish to participate in a national consultative process, if it exists, relating to the preparation of the state report. 1. GA Resolution 60/251; OP. 5(e). 2. HRC Resolution 5/1; Part I.D.; para. 15. NPM Toolkit for Asia Pacific NPM-NHRIs 43