7 October 2020, Prishtinë – The Ombudsman, Mr. Naim Qelaj, received the team from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is Council of Europe’s monitoring mechanism which monitors implementation of European Convention against Torture in Europe.

Mr. Qelaj welcomed on Tuesday the CPT team and pointed out the importance of cooperation which aims improvement of local institutions where persons deprived of liberty are held.

A CPT delegation is visiting Republic of Kosovo with the aim to assess the respect of fundamental human rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

During the meeting with the CPT, representatives of the Ombudsperson’s National Preventive Mechanism of Torture (NPMT) provided data collected during regular visits conducted to all places of deprivation of liberty, including police detention, remand detention, prisons, detention facilities, immigrant detention centers (asylum centers), social or psychiatric care institutions (nursing homes, mental health establishments), child protection centers as well as premises and locations were care for elderly and disabled persons is provided and any other places of suspect of existence of violation of human rights and freedoms.

Both sides agreed on the importance of cooperation between the CPT and the NPMT as well as OI cooperation with Council of Europe’s mechanisms and bodies with regard of preventing torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

Last visit of this Committee to Kosovo was accomplished in 2015. During the visit to the Republic of Kosovo, the CPT met with various institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations which carry out visits to places of deprivation of liberty.

Upon visit accomplishment, the CPT, during the meeting with the competent authorities, will disclose preliminary observations on the findings during the visit. Subsequently, the CPT will compile a report with recommendations for the visit to the Republic of Kosovo, which will be delivered to the competent authorities of the Republic of Kosovo.

National Preventing Mechanism of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (NPMT) was established in 2016, as a separate structure within the scope of Ombudsperson Institution (OIK).

For the record, Committee for the Prevention of Torture was established in 1987, based on the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in order to investigate treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.