Czech Ombudsman as the National Preventive Mechanism presents the NPM annual report 2017

The Annual Report 2017 on the activities of the Czech National Preventive Mechanism was issued. The document can be accessed here. 

To sum up the year 2017:

• 22 systematic visits were carried out
• the Ombudswoman used her authority to impose sanction twice
• 2 topical reports summarized the finding from visits to police cells (see the report) and hospitals for long-term patients (see the report) 

The duties of the NPM under the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) have been performed by Ombudsman since 2006. The NPM team is currently constituted by 8 full-time lawyers and cooperates with 12 external experts during the systematic visits.

We also draw attention to the Ombudsman’s Legislative Recommendation in the Annual Activity Report 2017 in the field of social services – interference with the dignity of persons in the provision of social services as a misdemeanor.