The Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA) designates the Human Rights Commission (the Commission) as the Central National Preventive Mechanism (CNPM). This role entails coordinating with NPMs to identify systemic issues, and liaising with government and the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT). The Commission is an independent Crown Entity with a wide range of functions under the Human Rights Act 1993. One of the Commission’s primary functions is to advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand. The Commission’s functions include advocacy, coordination of human rights programmes and activities, carrying out inquiries, making public statements, and reporting to the Prime Minister on any matter affecting human rights. The Commission also administers a dispute resolution process for complaints about discrimination. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Minister of Justice, for a term of up to five years. Overview The fundamental premise of OPCAT is based on international evidence highlighting the deterrent and preventive effect of independent monitoring and oversight. The Commission’s role as CNPM is established under sections 31 and 32 of COTA. COTA outlines, in general terms, the coordination role played by the CNPM. The CNPM’s responsibilities, as developed by the NPMs and CNPM, include: • Consulting and liaising with NPMs and coordinating the activities of the NPMs, including: ˚˚ facilitating biannual meetings of the NPMs ˚˚ meeting with international bodies ˚˚ making joint submissions to international treaty bodies, and ˚˚ providing communications and reporting/ advocacy opportunities. • Providing human rights expert advice • Maintaining effective liaison with the SPT • Coordinating the submission of annual reports prepared by NPMs to the SPT • Reviewing annual reports prepared by NPMs to advise them of any systemic issues arising from those reports and, in consultation with NPMs, making recommendations to government on systemic issues arising from NPMs’ reports through media releases and thematic reports or briefing papers, and 6 • Coordinating and facilitating engagements with international human rights bodies and civil society consistent with the Commission’s broader mandate under the Human Rights Act 1993 section 5(1) to “promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society”. Activities During Reporting Period The Commission organised and hosted three chair level meetings. The chairs discussed how to ensure a there is comprehensive OPCAT monitoring system and considered what optimum monitoring looked like. They shared monitoring developments within their own organisations. Key issues within detention facilities were discussed including mental health, seclusion and restraint, intellectual disability, youth in police detention, and ensuring appropriate and culturally responsive rehabilitation options for Mäori. The chairs also agreed to formalise regular meetings between officials of the various NPM agencies, in addition to engagement between the respective chairs. The officials meet four times per year to collaborate, share experiences, identify ways to work together more effectively, and progress work requested by the NPM chairs. A Human Rights Commission advisor joined the Human Rights Commission