The APT recently returned from the South Caucasus after taking part in a series of three round-table discussions on torture prevention and the OPCAT in Armenia, Georgia and

Azerbaijan. The capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku hosted these important events, where there appeared to be general to overwhelming support for signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol. At the events in Yerevan and Tbilisi, which were organized by Penal Reform International in cooperation with local human rights NGOs, there was considerable support for the instrument. A range of government and non-government representatives spoke out in favour of Armenia and Georgia signing and ratifying the OPCAT at the events held on 16 and 18 May 2005. In particular, the authorities in Tbilisi sated that they were currently examining the question of which national monitoring mechanisms would be put in place, if Georgia were to ratify OPCAT, and that ratification was possible in 2005. A range of government and non-government participants also examined the question of Azerbaijan's possible signature and ratification of the Optional Protocol in Baku on Monday 23 May, where representatives were generally in favour of the instrument. The APT will continue to work with its partners to facilitate the process of signature and ratification of OPCAT in the South Caucasus region throughout 2005.