● The European conference “Monitoring retirement homes”, during March 11-13, 2018, organized by the German and Austrian NPMs under the patronage of the Council of Europe, in Trier, Germany. The conference focused on two major topics: the use of the various forms of means of containment and the performance of interviews in the context of NPM visits to homes/centres for elderly people. The importance of using certified means of containment, manufactured and used by accredited providers was emphasized. Some cases of persons were described where means of containment had been used improperly (the ropes for securing/immobilizing some parts or segments of the body had not been adjusted properly, so that, pursuant to repeated movements, the concerned persons had died, either due to strangulation, or to spine injuries). The following were organized: a practical training session with professional actors - interviews in the context of NPM visits to elderly homes; a practical training session with professional actors - interviews in the context of NPM visits to centres for persons with mental disabilities, organized by the Austrian Ombudsman. ● the meeting of the NPM Network for South-East Europe, during May 29-30, 2018, in Podgorica, Muntenegro, focused on the prevention of suicide and overdose in detention centres and the status of NPM in member states. As for cases of suicide and overdose in detention centre, the following conclusion was proposed pursuant to the discussions: • based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, art. 2 of the Convention on the Defence of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, authorities have the obligation to take the required action to protect the lives of persons in their custody (however, this should be interpreted so as not to impose an impossible or unreasonable burden upon the authorities); • in order to fulfil their mandate, NPMs must be informed by the relevant state authorities on all cases of suicide or attempted suicide on a regular basis, as well as serious self-injuries appearing in detention places; • all relevant authorities should set out concepts and strategies to prevent suicides; such strategies should include an assessment of each new employee, special staff training and other measures preventing suicide and overdose in detention places; • NPMs will monitor 84