NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM AGAINST TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT 2019 INTRODUCTION By the Deputy Ombudsman responsible for exercising the competence of the National Preventive Mechanism Running its sixth year of operation, the National Preventive Mechanism has elaborated its mission by introducing improvements on its inspection methodology and reinforcing a deliberative culture with the administrative authorities based on 1 reports and recommendations . In that light, the Mechanism aimed at establishing an integrated monitoring and inspection system focusing on the protection of human rights of individuals detained or deprived of their freedom on any grounds: criminal, administrative, psychiatric or welfare. Its vision is to introduce a system involving three key steps: 1. Prioritization, involving setting thematic inspection priorities and thus deciding which detention centers to inspect. 2. Main operation, involving on-site inspections in the pre-selected detention areas followed by a report and 3. Communication of the aforementioned report to the administration of the detention facilities and to the state administrative authorities responsible for their oversight and monitoring. Any recommendations included in the report and measures of their implementation shall become the subject of a follow-up inspection. The committed and consistent implementation of the aforementioned steps is a challenge for the successful operation of the Mechanism in the following years focusing at achieving prompt administrative response and promoting institutional as well as practical solutions. 1 As stipulated in Article 19 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the General Assembly of the United Nations (OPCAT) "The national preventive mechanisms shall be granted at a minimum the power... (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. Whereas Article 22 provides that " The competent authorities of the State Party concerned shall examine the recommendations of the national preventive mechanism and enter into a dialogue with it on possible implementation measures." 10