BackOn 26 April 2022, the Ombudsperson Institution of the Republic of Kosovo has published the Annual Report 2021 of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) which reflects the work undertaken based on the legal mandate pursuant to the provisions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which is part of the legal and constitutional system of the Republic of Kosovo and prevails, in case of conflict, over provisions and laws and other acts of public institutions.
Despite the presence of COVID-19 pandemic in the country during 2021, the NPM during the reporting period has continued regular and unannounced visits to all places where persons deprived of their liberty are held, always respecting the “Do No Harm” principle and respecting health measures approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the competent health bodies.
During the reporting period, the NPM conducted 62 visits to all places where persons deprived of their liberty are held. Of these, 42 were general visits, 16 ad-hoc visits, 3 follow-up visits and 1 visit to Prishtina International Airport in the framework of monitoring operations of forced return from Switzerland, in cooperation with the Swiss National Commission for Prevention of Torture.
The NPM has noted progress in achieving national and international standards for the adequate and human treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. However, more work remains to be done, especially within the re-socialization domain.
For the full annual report please visit the website of the Ombudsperson Institution; the English version of the report starts from page 148.
Source: Ombudsperson Institution of the Republic of Kosovo
