1. ADAPTED MEANS AND METHODS OF GATHERING example, the Victoria ombuds institution (Australia) has FIRST-HAND INFORMATION set up a hotline for detainees to leave messages that are processed on the same day. Informational posters have First-hand information from within places of deprivation been disseminated inside prisons and youth detention of liberty is a highly valuable resource for NPMs. Without facilities to explain the new arrangements. These are im- physical access, collecting such information presents portant means of communication for persons deprived new challenges, which many NPMs have addressed of liberty and at the same time an invaluable source with creativity. of information for monitoring bodies. However, NPMs must be aware that the most proactive and outspoken In some cases, where NPMs have been unable to con- individuals are those who reach out to them. In imple- tact detainees themselves, they have made themselves menting its preventive mandate, the NPMs need to find available for direct contact, through telephone hot- alternative or additional ways of reaching the most silent lines, e-mail, physical mail, and even social media. For and probably the most vulnerable people. CURRENT PRACTICE – REMOTE INFORMATION COLLECTION DIRECTLY FROM THOSE DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY The Kazakh NPM reached an agreement with the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor General’s Office to use video or telephone communications with detainees. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the health measures necessitated by it, the NPM has established a practice of interviewing people within the penitentiary system and other places of detention online. Also in Kazakhstan, the Union of Crisis Centres (which runs the #150 hotline for the domestic violence victims in the country) agreed with the Coalition against Torture to distribute this hotline number in all closed facilities. Detainees are able to call this line to inform Coalition lawyers about any violations of their rights and also to receive legal consultation. In Georgia, the NPM has undertaken electronic monitoring of quarantine centres in creative ways. For instance, members of the NPM have joined closed Facebook groups for people quarantined in such centres (with the consent of the group members). This allows the NPM to access information about conditions and treatment shared by people held in the centres, including through live video broadcasting. The NPM has been able to identify and follow up with quarantined individuals in some cases. In Lithuania, the Seimas Ombudsperson has started monitoring social care homes through social media. The Human Rights Division of the Seimas Ombudsperson’s Office launched a private Facebook group named “Quarantine in social care institutions”, where they collect information on conditions, good practices, challenges and experiences within those institutions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Ireland, the Office of Inspector of Prisons (OiP) issued a special writing journal to 88 prisoners across several prisons. Prisoners who were/are under protective health measures by the Irish Prison Service were selected to take part in order to report their experiences of this period. The journals were left with the prisoners for 14 days with the aid of Irish Red Cross volunteers in each of the prisons involved. In Paraguay, the NPM receives direct complaints from detainees through a telephone hotline. In addition, the NPM responded to a request from detainees to facilitate a videoconference meeting between them and a wide range of authorities – including judges, public defenders, public prosecutors and members of the Ministry of Justice. Following this meeting, a task force will be set up to address overcrowding in places of deprivation of liberty. 12