EXPERT COMMITTEE The scope of tasks and issues covered by the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture in many cases requires specialist knowledge and professional experience. Therefore, since 2016 the CHR’s Expert Committee (EC) on the National Preventive Mechanism has been in operation. On 12 September 2019 the Committee met in full composition. Furthermore, a working group was established with a view to preparing an opinion on non-standard forms of safeguarding patients in nursing facilities and social care homes inspected by the NMPT. NMPT experts also participated in a number of inspection visits and in the 3rd Congress on Human Rights. In June 2019 the EC of the NMPT issued a statement4 with regard to attacks perpetrated, among others, by politicians on the Commissioner for Human Rights in the media (including public television). The attack took place after the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture issued a statement concerning the treatment of the person suspected of a cruel murder on a 10-year-old girl5. The Police posted a video on the Internet from the apprehension of the man showing how police officers are escorting (dragging) the suspect with joined shackles on his hands and feet wearing only underwear and no trousers. Later, another picture appeared on the Internet showing inquiry operations involving the same man, who was still only wearing underwear. Moreover, what was visible in that picture was the face of the man, which constituted an evident breach of the presumption of innocence. The Expert Committee of the NMPT fully supported the content published in the Statement of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and expressed appreciation for the activity of the CHR and employees of the NMPT. Financing of the NMPT Expenditures on the activities of the NMPT are covered from the state budget allocation received by the CHR. According to the Annual Report on the Activity-Based Expenditures of the State Budget and of the European Funds Budget, in 2019 the Office of the CHR disbursed 2 698 743,77 zł for the operation of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture. Polish state, despite the provisions of OPCAT and the Paris Principles6, from the very beginning of the execution of the tasks of the national preventive mechanism by the Commissioner has not been allocating sufficient means for that purpose. The insufficient budget allocated for the operation of the Commissioner for Human Rights translates directly into the impossibility to fully exercise the mandate of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture. 4 5 6 10 https://www.rpo.gov.pl/pl/content/oswiadczenia-w-sprawie-ataku-na-rpo-adama-bodnara-po-stanowiskukmpt. https://www.rpo.gov.pl/pl/content/Po-zatrzymaniu-mezczyzny-podejrzanego-o-zabojstwo-w-mrowinach-oswiadczenie-KMPT. Adopted by the resolution of the UN General Assembly, no. 48/134 of 23 December 1993. The Paris Principles are requirements to be met by human rights institutions. They were adopted by the UN in 1993. The main requirements to be met are independence and pluralism. PART I – What is the nmpt?