MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE ■ 51 Transparent working practices and public reporting Through public reporting on its work and functioning, the national mechanism will reinforce its independence and, in addition, will be seen as independent. Appropriate expertise and knowledge State Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the expert members have the required capabilities and professional knowledge regarding human rights and issues relating to deprivation of liberty. The OPCAT also advises seeking a gender balance and appropriate minority representation within the composition of the national preventive mechanisms12. Appropriate composition For mechanisms conducting visits to places of detention a pluralistic composition is most appropriate, to include: ■ Lawyers ■ Nurses ■ Doctors, including forensic specialists ■ Psychiatrists and psychologists ■ Other representatives from civil society and NGOs ■ Specialists in issues such as human rights, humanitarian law, penitentiary systems and the police. 12 The provision is in line with the Paris Principles, which stress that national institutions should be established so as to ensure a pluralistic composition.