ANNEX I Monitoring framework, methodology and further action by the Austrian NPM I. Preamble Under the Austrian Federal Constitution, the Austrian Ombudsman Board, together with its commissions, is vested with the responsibilities of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in accordance with the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), as well as with the monitoring and control of institutions, facilities and programmes in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and with the monitoring and concomitant examining of authorities empowered to exercise direct administrative power and coercive measures. II. Objectives and basic principles The objective is to protect and promote human rights, including but not limited to the regular, nationwide and generally unannounced monitoring and control by the commissions of institutions and facilities where persons are or can be deprived of their liberty, as well as of institutions, facilities and programmes designed for persons with disabilities and of the exercise of coercive measures by authorities empowered by the State. The benchmark for the fulfilment of the responsibilities of the NPM are all the standards and principles developed under the provisions of both international law and Austrian regulations to protect human rights. The joint work of the NPM is based on the following guiding principles:  “Quality before quantity”: The preventive activity of the NPM serves to protect against violations of and intrusions into human rights. “Prevention” is defined as measures and strategies to minimise risks and anticipatory action to protect human rights. Therefore, the improvement of general quality standards is not a central responsibility of monitoring and control activities. The focus on preventive monitoring and control to protect against violations of human rights determines the core activities of targeted, unannounced visits in selected facilities and institutions and of confidence-building communication on-site with persons in all roles. 155