The Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment submits his second report to the Human Rights Council. Chapter I summarizes the activities of the Special Rapporteur undertaken between August and December 2007 (i.e. the period since the submission of his interim report to the General Assembly, A/62/221), including updates on country visits, future visits and pending requests for invitations, and highlights of key presentations and meetings. In chapter II, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the protection of women from torture and in chapter III he sets out his conclusions and recommendations thereon.