In conclusion, we highlight that the NPM’s operations significantly contribute to improving the situation of persons deprived of liberty. This was also noted by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) when visiting Slovenia in 2012 (see report on this visit, p. 10).19 Assessments of successful work have also come from experts,20 since the findings of the NPM have also been quoted by the European Court for Human Rights21 in its judgements and are also the subject of many diploma and MA theses. 5.6 International and other activities of the NPM In addition to visiting places of deprivation of liberty, the NPM also conducts many other activities, such as preparing proposals and comments to applicable or drafted acts, preparing and giving presentations to foreign delegations or visitors (in 2015, we hosted representatives of the NPMs from Montenegro and Ukraine), preparing replies to questions from different NPM networks, participating at meetings etc. NPM members participate at various national and international events by presenting our operations and current experience. We also organise discussions with representatives of individual state authorities (also ministers) and also present the Ombudsman’s work in this field elsewhere (the Police Academy in Tacen, Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, press conferences). Different forms of training and work meetings are organised for all NPM members (including participating NGOs) at which we discuss aspects of our joint operations with the NGOs. 5.8 Review of NPM visits in 2015 Seq. Date no. The NPMs of so-called south-eastern Europe formed a network called South-East Europe NPM Network (SEE NPM Network),18 in Belgrade (Serbia) on 26 March 2013, the purpose of which is inter alia to establish better cooperation, exchange experience and implement numerous joint activities to improve the efficiency of performing duties and powers of the NPM in the relevant field which derive from the Optional Protocol. On this occasion, representatives of the NPM from Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia (and also one of the ombudsmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina) adopted a Declaration on Cooperation, elected management and set their first objectives. As a sign of recognition of the current work of the Ombudsman in this field, the first presidency of the network was entrusted to the NPM Slovenia. The NPMs of Austria and Bulgaria later joined the network. The presidency of the network is currently held by the NPM Austria. Within the network, two study visits were implemented in 2015, i.e. to the NPMs in Austria and Croatia. The primary purpose of the visit was to exchange practical experience of implementing preventive visits. Such cooperation and exchanges of experience of implementing preventive visits within the SEE Network proved useful in the past, and we will also do this in the future, since we expect the members of the National Preventive Mechanism of the Republic of Austria to participate in a similar visit to the Republic of Slovenia in 2016. 5.7 Conclusion We believe that the Ombudsman ensured the efficient implementation of duties and powers of the NPM by implementing the Optional Protocol. By including non-governmental and humanitarian organisations in the implementation of duties and powers of the NPM, the transparency of the Ombudsman’s operations in this field increased, which ensures even better implementation of the duties assumed upon the ratification of the Optional Protocol. This solution is a novelty in the Republic of Slovenia in the implementation of public-private partnership and may serve as an example for further changes in the operations of other state authorities, and in international terms, it may present one of possible and successful models for implementing the Optional Protocol. On the whole, we are pleased with the response of the relevant authorities (particularly visited institutions) to our findings and recommendations for improving situations, since they show a readiness to cooperate. We particularly note that the institutions visited are trying to take all the measures needed to make improvements which are in their domain. We are pleased to establish that the findings, proposals and recommendations for improvements made by the Ombudsman within its duties and powers of the NPM frequently do result in an improvement in conditions and the treatment of persons deprived of liberty. We strive to enhance and deepen cooperation with the relevant ministries, particularly regarding issues which demand systemic changes in the field. 18 See: http://www.varuh-rs.si/o-instituciji/podrocja-dela-varuha/varuh-kot-drzavni-preventivni-mehanizem/south-east-europe-npm-network/. 234 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM FOR 2015 Place Participants Description of event Organiser 1. 12 March 2015 Petrovo Brdo The visit was conducted by the Ombudsman’s representatives, mag. Jure Markič and Liljana Jazbec, the Ombudsman’s advisers, and representatives of non-governmental organisations: Jure Trbič (SKUP – Community of Private Institutes) and Sonja Škrabec Štefančič (Novi paradoks). On 14 March 2015, the unit was also visited by an external expert, Dr. Peter Pregelj, specialist/ psychiatrist, in order to examine medical and health care. Visit to Petrovo Brdo Unit of Podbrdo Retirement Home Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 2. 11 March 2015 Cerknica The visit was conducted by Robert Gačnik, the Ombudsman’s adviser, and NGO representative Primož Križnar (SKUP – Community of Private Institutes). Visit to Cerknica Police Station Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 3. 11 March 2015 Postojna The visit was conducted by Robert Gačnik, the Ombudsman’s adviser, and NGO representative Primož Križnar (SKUP – Community of Private Institutes). Visit to Postojna Police Station Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 4. 11 March 2015 Ilirska Bistrica The visit was conducted by Robert Gačnik, the Ombudsman’s adviser, and NGO representative Primož Križnar (SKUP – Community of Private Institutes). Visit to Ilirska Bistrica Police Station Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 5. 23 March 2015 Celje The visit was conducted by the Visit to Saint Ombudsman’s representatives, Joseph Home in mag. Jure Markič and Liljana Jazbec, Celje the Ombudsman’s advisers, and representatives of non-governmental organisations: Stanka Radojičič (Slovenian Federation of Pensioners’ Associations) and Barbara Pirnat (Caritas Slovenia). Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia See: http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svn/2013-16-inf-eng.pdf. 19 See e.g. Korošec, Damjan: Poročilu Varuha človekovih pravic o izvajanju nalog državnega preventivnega mehanizma na pot, in Pravna praksa, no. 47, 8 December 2011. 20 21 See e.g. case Mandić and Jović v. Slovenia and Štrucl Jakob and Others v. Slovenia. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM FOR 2015 235 5 IMPLEMENTATION OF DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM 5 IMPLEMENTATION OF DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM In its detention rooms, the Slovenian Armed Forces supplemented the detention records and marked detention and interrogation rooms with labels. A working group was appointed at our proposal to prepare a proposal to amend the Rules on the construction of detention facilities for the Slovenian Armed Forces or military police in order to harmonise standards required as per the Rules on the actual condition of detention rooms used by military police.