ANNUAL REPORT OF NPM 2019 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Physical conditions of the visited police stations Regarding the physical conditions in the spaces where persons deprived of their liberty are held in police stations, the NPM has observed that most of the visited police stations meet the conditions necessary to accommodate arrested persons. However, NPM has noted that renovations are needed at the police stations in Gjakova, Deçan, Peja and Fushe Kosova. During a visit to the Rahovec Police Station, the NPM noted that renovation work in the detention rooms was on-going. On 6 December 2019, based on the NPM's request for information, the Kosovo Police, through an official email, informed the NPM that the detention centre at this station is now operational. On 20 September 2019, the NPM visited the Police Station in Fushe Kosova and observed that this station faces severe infrastructure conditions and minimum working conditions for police officers. During the visit to the station, the NPM observed that the station was facing water shortages for many days, which made the work of police officers even more difficult. On 14 May 2019, during a visit to the Deçan Police Station, the NPM noted that the NPM's recommendation to renovate the detention rooms at this station as soon as possible was not implemented, which was sent to the competent authorities through the report with recommendations on the visits to police stations in Klina, Istog, Peja and Deçan on 17 October 2018.20 Through the report in question, the NPM, in paragraph 24, stated the following: “The NPM has noted that the rooms where the detainees are held are in very poor condition and in need of immediate renovations, with no natural or artificial light. As a consequence of this situation, the NPM has interviewed in full darkness a detainee. Such a situation at the Deçan police station can be compared to inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment”. Also, the CPT 2007 report on the visit to Kosovo, published in 2009, expresses particular concern regarding the situation in the Deçan police station regarding the conditions of accommodation.21 Also, during a visit to the Peja Police Station on 14 May 2019, the NPM observed that the NPM's recommendation to carry out the necessary renovations at this police station in order for the detention rooms to have sufficient natural and artificial light was not implemented. The NPM also noted a lack of mattresses, pillows and hygiene kits. On 16 December 2019 22 , the NPM addressed the Kosovo Police with a recommendation letter recommending that the necessary renovations be carried out at the aforementioned police stations so that the physical conditions of accommodation for detainees at these stations is in compliance with the CPT standards and the legislation in force in the Republic of Kosovo. 20 Report with recommendations on the visit to police stations in Klina, Istog, Peja and Deçan. For more information, see: https://www.oik-rks.org/en/2018/10/17/report-of-the-npmt-related-to-the-visits-conducted-to-the-following-police-stations/. 21 CPT Report on Visit to Kosovo in 2007, published in 2009, paragraph 35. For more information, see: https://rm.coe.int/168069727c 22 The NPM's recommendation letter on visits to various police stations in Kosovo. See: https://www.oikrks.org/en/2019/12/17/recommendation-letter-to-the-police-stations/. 13