With the Law on Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, it is prescribed that the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) conducts visits to institutions where detainees may or may not be held, with the aim of discouraging state bodies and officers from any form of torture or any other form of abuse, as well as directing state bodies towards creating accommodation and other living conditions in institutions that hold detainees that are in line with current regulations and standards.
The NPM has the right to: unimpeded and unannounced access, at any time, to all institutions and all spaces that may or may not be holding detainees; holding unsupervised interviews with those persons, or with officers, who are obligated to cooperate in these cases, and with all other persons that may have information of significance regarding the treatment of detainees; access to all documentation regarding these persons; give recommendations to relevant authorities with the aim of improving methods of treating detainees and improving the conditions under which they are detained or incarcerated.
Article 2a of the Law prescribes that the Protector of Citizens conducts NPM activities and cooperates during their implementation with Provincial Ombudsmen and associations whose statutes contain as their main objective the improvement and protection of human rights and freedoms, in line with the law.
The Protector of Citizens and Provincial Ombudsman of AP Vojvodina signed a Memorandum on Cooperation in Implementing Activities of the NPM, which provides for the active involvement of the Provincial Ombudsman in the visits of the NPM Monitoring Team to institutions where detainees are held, that are located on the territory of AP Vojvodina.
Based on the completed procedure by public invitation, the Protector of Citizens chose the associations that he will establish cooperation with regarding the implementation of NPM activities, among which is the Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights (YUCOM).
Following a conducting a visit, the NPM completes a report that is sent to the respective institution. After this, the NPM maintains constant dialogue with the visited institution, as well as the body in charge of it, with the aim of removing the recognized flaws that may lead to the appearance of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment.
