in international legal forums. Complaint mechanisms can be used to achieve a number of different objectives including: protection for victims or persons under threat; obtaining reparations and compensation for victims; putting pressure on governments to end impunity in specific cases; and achieving changes in legislation and State practice which lead to serious human rights violations. Many NGOs are not fully aware of how to use UN procedures to support their work in protecting victims from torture. The OMCT hopes to encourage and assist partner NGOs that are already active in the struggle against torture to present individual complaints and other relevant information to the CAT, the HRC, and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Practical guidance The OMCT publishes a practical guide on international and regional conventional mechanisms relevant to torture. This Handbook is conceived as a tool for action. It addresses the practical needs of anybody using international mechanisms and bodies to challenge torture practices. See also Command responsibility Equipo Nizkor International humanitarian law UN Convention Against Torture Libyan Anti-torture Network (LAN) References External links World Organisation Against Torture ProtectDefenders.eu International human rights organizations Torture