i. Non declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights 62. As of March 2013, Rwanda deposited the declaration under article 34(6) of the Protocol Establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights allowing direct access of NGOs with observer status before the African Commission and individuals to the court. Rwanda became the 6th out of 26 countries that have ratified the Protocol to deposit the declaration which was signed on 22/01/2013. j. The Non ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture was ratified by the Presidential Order no 17/2013 of 25/03/2013 authorising the ratification of the optional Protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Prohibition of torture was domesticated through the penal code under its articles 176 and 187 which criminalize torture in general and sexual torture in particular. The objective of OPCAT is to establish a system of regular visits by independent international and national bodies to places of detention, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 63. The Act provides for the designation of “National Preventive Mechanisms” (NPMs), whose role is to examine, at regular intervals, the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees, and make recommendations for improvement. Since then, It has reinforced its commitment to the effective prevention of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. This ratification constitute an important step by the Government of Rwanda in promoting and protecting human rights in the country. 64. Several trainings and workshops on the convention and OPCAT have been organised. For instance a training was organized from 31/08 to 03/09 2015 the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with ILPD for the Treaty Body Reporting Task Force. In March 2016 the National Commission for Human Rights in collaboration with the Human Rights Implementation Center Page 25 of 105