MONITORING ACTIVITIES THE OMBUDSMAN’S MONITORING VISITS THE OMBUDSMAN’S MONITORING VISITS Where: The Ombudsman carries out monitoring visits to public and private institu­tions, especially institutions where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty, such as prisons, social care institutions and psychiatric wards. Why: The purpose of the Ombudsman’s monitoring visits is to help ensure that daytime users of and residents at institutions are treated with dignity, respect and in compliance with their rights. The monitoring visits are carried out in accordance with the Ombudsman Act as well as the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Pursuant to this Protocol, the Ombudsman has been appointed ‘national preventive mechanism’. The task is carried out in collaboration with DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, which contribute with medical and human rights expertise. The Ombudsman has a special responsibility to protect the rights of children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc. How: During monitoring visits, the Ombudsman often gives recommendations to the institutions. Recommendations are typically aimed at improving conditions for users of the institutions and in this connection also at bringing conditions into line with the rules. Recommendations may also be aimed at preventing, for example, degrading treatment. Monitoring visits may also cause the Ombudsman to open investigations of general problems. Who: The Monitoring Department carries out monitoring visits to institutions for adults, whereas the Ombudsman’s Children’s Division carries out monitoring visits to institutions for children. The Ombudsman’s special advisor on children’s issues participates in monitoring visits to institutions for children and, if deemed relevant, in monitoring visits to institutions for adults. Usually a medical doctor from DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture participates in the visits, and often a human rights expert from the Danish Institute for Human Rights will participate as well. 37