Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 In 2012, in addition to visits, members of the NPM took part in other events (they are shown in the attached NPM Activity Schedule). In the introduction, a repeated (fourth) visit of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (“the CPT”) to Slovenia in the beginning of 2012 cannot be ignored. During the visit, the CPT met and held discussions with the members of the NPM (including persons from the selected NGOs participating in visits by the NPM), while representatives of state authorities were present at the introductory and concluding meetings. The NPM team took part in numerous international events where its activities and experience were presented (in Budapest (Hungary), Bucharest (Romania), Baku (Azerbaijan), Kishinev (Moldova) and Odessa (Ukraine). We participated during the exchange of experiences and methods of operation with foreign NPMs (with Macedonian, Albanian, Czech and Serbian) and took part in theme workshops within the European Project of the NPM (in Geneva (Switzerland) and Belgrade (Serbia)). The NPM organised and carried out study visits of other NPMs (thus we hosted NPMs from Serbia, Montenegro and from Croatia). The NPM simultaneously organised discussions with representatives of individual state authorities (also with ministers) and took part in other events related to the area of work of the NPM. We reported about our operation to the Sub-committee for the Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (“CPT”) on 18 June 2012 in Geneva. On this basis, this Sub-committee prepared some comments and proposals to improve methods of the NPM’s work. These proposals will certainly be taken into account in further work. At the end of 2011, the NPM requested an expert opinion in regard to the treatment of prisoners, sexual offenders, from the Independent Medical Advisory Panel of the Council of Europe (IMAP). This group of international experts took part in the Council of Europe’s NPM Project (knowledge and experience exchange of the national NPMs). We received the answer of the IMAP in 2012 and notified the Prison Administration (“PARS”). While taking into account the standpoints of the IMAP, we will continue with activities in this field. In order to define in detail the method of implementing duties and powers under the NPM, a Methodology of Implementing Duties and Powers under the NPM was issued in 2012. It shall apply until its potential amendments or until the newly determined methodology regarding the implementation of duties and powers of the NPM in the Republic of Slovenia are adopted. National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 13