3 Preface Section 3 of the Act with Instructions for the Parliamentary Ombudsmen states: “The Ombudsmen are to ensure in particular that the courts and public authorities in the course of their activities obey the injunction of the Instrument of Government about objectivity and impartiality and that the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens are not encroached upon in public administration.” When the Parliamentary Ombudsmen began working as Sweden’s National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) in 2011, the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel or Inhuman Treatment had been applicable in Sweden since 1987. OPCAT creates an visit system stipulating that all places where persons deprived of liberty are detained be inspected regularly. The goal is to identify risks of inhuman or degrading treatment and to work to eliminate these risks. The supplementary function of National Preventive Mechanism has broadened the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s mandate in a groundbreaking way. The focus of this function is on prevention through constructive dialogue and is forwardlooking. Traditionally, the role of the ombudsman has been to review what has taken place from a formal, legal perspective. There is much to be said for keeping these two functions together. Experience shows that the traditional role of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen has evolved with this supplementary mandate. My personal conviction is that this is how the Parliamentary Ombudsmen does the most good – by identifying risks and finding room for improvement. Since these activities began, the ombudsmen have conducted over 100 inspections, and this is something about which I am very happy and proud. This means that we are performing well in terms of complying with OPCAT’s requirements for regular inspection activities. I hope that this report will demonstrate how it is a strength that the Parliamentary Ombudsmen also has an explicit preventive remit. Elisabet Fura