UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT NHRIs can support the international human rights system by cooperating with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WG). The WG was established in 1991. Its mandate under the Human Rights Council includes: investigating of cases of deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily; seeking and receiving information from Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and receiving information from the individuals concerned, their families or their representatives. UNCTs can provide information to NHRIs about the Working Group and its procedures. Many of the core protection issues relevant to this chapter, and the strategies that could be used by NHRIs, are set out in detail in: Annex 1: “Core Protection Issues and Potential Activities for NHRI Involvement.” This Tool reviews core protection issues in detail, and provides concrete suggestions as to what UNCTs might do to provide support to NHRIs in each area. 4.4 Complaints from detainees QUICK FACTS ABOUT NHRIS AND RECEIVING COMPLAINTS FROM DETAINEES: According to a recent survey, 75% of NHRIs said that they receive complaints from detainees. The percentage that receive complaints from detainees was highest in the Asia Pacific region (100%), followed by the Americas (88.8%), Africa (73.6%) and Europe (57.2%). Of these respondents, a total of 36 NHRIs provided statistics on complaints of torture and ill-treatment, as shown by the following regional breakdown: FIGURE 1: COMPLAINTS STATISTICS - TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Africa Americas Asia Pacific Europe -10 10-20 20-50 50-100 100-200 200+ No data Respondents reported a wide range of issues from torture to ill-treatment, including: assault and brutality by security personnel, inadequate diet, poor conditions and overcrowding, unnecessary isolation, and forced medical trials. OHCHR, Survey of National Human Rights Institutions: Report on the Findings and Recommendations of a Questionnaire Addressed to NHRIs Worldwide. 2009. www.nhri.net 58