1 June 2013 – In the scope of activities that have marked June 26th, International Day in Support to Torture Victims as well as on accomplishment of legal and constitutional competences for monitoring and have broad access in institution where people in custody are being placed, the Ombudsperson Institution (OI) has organized today in Prishtina the round table on National Prevention Mechanisms- challenges, opportunities and progress made”
In the focus of this round table were reports issued by Task Force of the National Mechanisms on Torture1 Prevention derived from the monitoring conducted in the Correctional Centre in Dubrava and Correctional and Detention Centers in Lipjan as well as activities accomplished within the period January- June 2013.

Members of the panel displayed findings identified and gave recommendations from the monitoring accomplished in Detention, Correctional and Mental Health Centers as well as emphasized main challenges of Kosova Correctional Service, improvements and results achieved in this direction.

Monitoring of Centers in Dubrava and Lipjan has covered issues such infrastructure, hygiene, healthcare, treatment, relationship between detained persons and relation with Centers’ staff, food, information and outdoor activities.

The main segments to which recommendations are being addressed from the monitoring conducted relate with congested Centers, their physical conditions, hygiene of room and clothes including bedding and blankets and healthcare services offered. While main emphases pointed out from the monitoring carried out in Lipjan and Dubrava Centers as well as from continuous monitoring that OI conducts in Detention Centers, is that no cases of torture or inhuman treatment by in charge Centers’ staff has been identified, which was highly valued by participants of this round- table.
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1The Ombudsperson Institution (OI), in 2011 has signed a MEMO between Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT) and the Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) in the scope of joint activity on National Campaign against Torture. This agreement determines the cooperation of signatory parties on human rights protection anticipated with the Optional Protocol of Convention against Torture with the aim of establishing a Joint Steering Committee in charge of advocating for establishment of National Prevention Mechanisms in Kosova.