I. INTRODUCTION By ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on 31 December 20081 (hereinafter OPCAT), Montenegro assumed the obligation to "set up, designate or maintain at the domestic level one or several visiting bodies for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The Law on the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, which came into force on 23 August 20112, established Protector3 as a National Mechanism for Prevention of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (hereinafter referred to as: NPM). The role of the NPM is to take measures to prevent torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by conducting regular visits to places where persons are deprived of their liberty or their movement is restricted by the order of a court or other governmental body. Under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment4, the NPM has the power to: a) To regularly examine the treatment of the persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention as defined in article 4, with a view to strengthening, if necessary, their protection against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; b) To make recommendations to the relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and the conditions of the persons deprived of their liberty and to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, taking into consideration the relevant norms of the United Nations; c) To submit proposals and observations concerning existing or draft legislation. In order to examine the current situation when it comes to authorities, organizations and institutions where persons are deprived of their liberty or their movement is restricted and provide expert opinion, the Protector has established an advisory body composed of experts in the relevant field, who are members of the NPM. The multidisciplinary composition of this expert body contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the situation, objective conclusions and quality recommendations. NPM team consists of: Protector Šućko Bakovic, Deputy for prevention and protection from torture Peter Ivezić, Secretary of the Institution Zdenka Perovic, Advisers Marijana Sinđić and Dragan Radovic and Doctor spec. of court medicine Nemanja Radojevic. Starting from the current state of examined institutions in the field, the Protector in the role of the NPM prepared this report in accordance with Articles 25 and 47 of the Law on the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms. This Report is the first annual report of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms in the role of the National Mechanism for Prevention of Torture. 1 The Law on Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Official Gazette of Montenegro - International Treaties, No. 9/08); 2 Official Gazette of Montenegro, No. 42/2011; 3 All terms used for individuals mentioned in this report in the masculine gender include the same terms in the feminine gender; 4 Article 19 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), the UN General Assembly (A/ReS/57/199) of 18.12.2002. 5