Prishtina, April 30, 2024 – The National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture under the Ombudsperson’s Institution, published the annual report for 2023. Through the Law of the Ombudsperson, the NMP is guaranteed the exercise of its mandate, to carry out visits at any time, without restrictions and without warning, in all institutions of deprivation of liberty, in prisons, in police detention centers, in mental health institutions, in asylums, border points, as well as in any other place where there is data and it is evaluated that there is a possibility of violation of human rights and freedoms.

During the year 2023, the NMP made a total of 61 unannounced visits to all places where persons deprived of their liberty are held. From the findings obtained after the visits to places of deprivation of liberty, the Ombudsperson has published four reports with recommendations and has addressed 28 recommendations to the responsible authorities.

Regarding the Correctional Institutions and Detention Centers, from field visits and interviewing of a significant number of prisoners by the NMP team, the Ombudsperson finds that he has not received complaints of torture or ill-treatment, apart from some assertions about verbal abuse. Whereas, regarding the accommodation conditions in Correctional Institutions and Detention Centers, the Ombudsperson states that in terms of space, material and accommodation conditions are in accordance with the legislation in force and with the minimum standards of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture ( KPT).

The Detention Centers in Mitrovica, Peje and Prizren, the Ombudsperson has found that they do not even meet the minimum conditions of accommodation and has continuously recommended that as long as these Centers are in use, the responsible authorities should improve the conditions of accommodation for prisoners.

NMP from field visits has observed that the treatment and accommodation of persons with mental disorders and users of narcotic substances, remains a challenge for the Kosovo Police, for Correctional Institutions and other competent institutions. These categories are difficult to manage because of the specifics they have and the correctional staff is not trained to take care of this category. In this direction, positive steps have been taken, adapting Pavilion D of the Correctional Center in Dubrava, where people with special needs can be accommodated, but based on the situation on the ground, it turns out to be insufficient. In the future, it is expected that the capacities of the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry will be increased, which can alleviate the situation in the future for correctional and detention centers.

Regarding the visits to the police stations, NMP assesses that there are several police stations that need constant renovations and maintenance. However, during the visits to the police stations, the NMP received concerns from the police officers about the working conditions, such as the lack of supply of uniforms and shoes, the benefited seniority, the chronic diseases of the officers, the outdated inventory, as well as the lack of hygiene material.

Regarding the monitoring of the respect of the rights of persons with mental illness placed in health institutions, the Ombudsperson also during the year 2023, presented recommendations to the relevant bodies, with the aim of improving their conditions and treatment and ensuring full respect of human rights.

In addition, during this year, the Ombudsperson has paid special attention to the rights of elderly persons placed in social care centers, as well as the rights of elderly persons placed in the homes of non-governmental organizations and legal entities that provide social services for elderly people. Such rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, by the relevant legislation in force, as well as by international standards for the protection of human rights.

During the realization of these visits, there were no obstacles from the public authorities, it should be noted that the cooperation between the NMP and the visited authorities was good and complete.

You can find the full report at: https://bit.ly/4beptOe