MONITORING ACTIVITIES 73 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, for example, prisons, social 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 in a dignified, respectful manner 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. Pursuant to this Protocol, the Ombudsman has been appointed ‘national preventive mechanism’. The task is carried out in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture that contribute with human rights and medical expertise. The Ombudsman has a special responsibility to protect the rights of children in accordance with, among other things, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. How During the monitoring visits, the Ombudsman often makes recommendations to the institutions. The recommendations are typically aimed at improving conditions for users of the institutions, including adjustment of the conditions in order to comply with the rules. They can also, for example, be aimed at preventing degrading treatment. Monitoring visits may also give the Ombudsman cause to investigate general problems. Who The Monitoring Department also 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. DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture and the Danish Institute for Human Rights participate in some of the visits.