This report reflects the activities of the Greek Ombudsman in 2014, as the National Torture Preventive Mechanism, according to its special competence as provided in article 2, L. 4228/2014. Establishment / Preparation TORTURE is not only the systematic infliction of pain but also any inhuman or degrading treatment downgrading human existence. The use of torture is a gross violation of human dignity and aims at annihilating the personality of the victim. Apart from being a criminal act, based on the national and international law, it is an act which is against human civilization. Places, such as prisons, immigrant detention centers, psychiatric hospitals, police cells etc, are places which may pose a threat to human dignity. The remarks of accredited national and/or international bodies, regarding the status of rights of people held in the above mentioned places give rise to concern. Greece, however, should not stay inactive, waiting for the reproaches of international organizations, but must undertake initiatives in order to respond to the challenge of prevention. Such a significant step was made with L. 4228/2014, which ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Article 2 of the above mentioned law nominates the Ombudsman as the “National Preventive Mechanism”. Furthermore, the Ombudsman’s representatives participated in 2012 in the working group that processed the relevant law. The mission of the National Preventive Mechanism includes investigation of the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty on a regular basis, submission of respective improvement recommendations to the competent authorities, and, finally submission of proposals and observations regarding the applicable legislation or drafting of legislation. The Ombudsman, on the opportunity of the UN Day in support to victims of torture (26 June), has highlighted that it will perform its mission in a fair and constructive way. (see.http://www.synigoros.gr/resources/140626-dt-basanistiria.pdf, available only at Greek language) Article 4 of L. 4228/2014 stipulates that the National Preventive Mechanism visits all, public or private, places of detention, with or without previously informing the competent authorities. According to the international practice, such visits can be carried out on non-working days or even during night hours. The inspection by the National Preventive Mechanism includes the collection of evidence using any available means, such as, indicatively, visiting all detention places, interviewing persons and taking photographs. Furthermore, based on the general competence of article 103, par. 9 of the Constitution and L. 3094/2003, the Ombudsman has access to all files, documents, data or archives. To implement the mission assigned to the Ombudsman, a regulatory decision was initially issued setting up a working group, regarding the activities of the “National Preventive Mechanism” (NPM), under the responsibility of a Deputy Ombudsman. This group assumed the task of the unified management of all the matters falling within the spectrum of competence of the NPM and the effective organization and function of the National Preventive Mechanism, the performance of visits-inspections, and the meetings and co-operation with relative administration authorities. At the same time, the working group assumed the task of coordinating all related activities of the Ombudsman, as well as the proposal, implementation and monitoring of the annual action plan for the NPM issues. A later decision nominated the members of the working group and its coordinators. The group started operating in October 2014, when the members were informed and the duties were allocated. The actions were planned and the period up to the end of 2014 was set as preparation period. Furthermore, in the context of preparation, the Ombudsman informed the competent ministries about this new competence, highlighted that this specific mission is an international obligation of the country, under which, there must be a regular information input of the competent UN bodies, and asked for their cooperation, aiming at the successful implementation of such a competence. The Ombudsman also requested all services under their jurisdiction to be informed in order to provide, according to the law, assistance in the performance of the specific task. In the context of preparing and informing the public and the public services for this new competence, the Ombudsman held an open event entitled: “Fighting torture and ill-treatment: International experiences and Greek perspectives” (8.12.2014). Experts and representatives of bodies were invited to contribute to the discussion. Furthermore, a training workshop was held (9.12.2014) for the personnel of the Ombudsman, senior investigators, staffing the NPM working group, entitled: “Prevention of tortures: Difficulties and good practices”. Representatives of international organizations (CPT1, APT2), NPMs of other countries (Austria) and national bodies (Special Committee for Monitoring and Protecting the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders) were invited to present their experiences and suggestions. 1. Committee for the Prevention of Torture 2. Association for the Prevention of Torture