13 NPM is entitled to: • access to all information concerning the number of persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention, as well as the number of places and their location; • access to all places of detention, their installations and facilities, with the liberty to choose such places; • to have private interview with the persons deprived of their liberty without witnesses, either personally or with a translator if deemed necessary, as well as with any other person who the NPM believes may supply relevant information, by their own choice38. NPM has the authority to regularly examine the treatment of the persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention, to make recommendations to the relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and the conditions of the persons deprived of their liberty and to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, taking into consideration the relevant norms of the United Nations, as well as to submit proposals and observations concerning existing or draft legislation39. The State Parties shall guarantee the functional independence of the NPM, as well as the independence of their personnel40. No authority or official shall order, apply, permit or tolerate any sanction against any person or organization for having communicated to the NPM any information, whether true or false, and no such person or organization shall be otherwise prejudiced in any way41. The State Parties undertake to make available the necessary resources for the functioning of the NPM42. Relation between NPM and authorities of the State is based on the principles of trust and cooperation. The competent authorities of the State Party shall examine the recommendations of the NPM and enter into a dialogue with it on possible implementation measures43. The competent authorities of the State Party shall publish and distribute annual reports of the NPM. 38 39 40 41 42 43 The Optional Protocol, Article 20 The Optional Protocol, Article 19 The Optional Protocol, Article 18 Item 1 The Optional Protocol, Article 21 Item 1 The Optional Protocol, Article 18 Item 3 The Optional Protocol, Article 22