PP N PM ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NPM and protection of human rights and freedoms as laid down in the Constitution, acts and international legal documents providing for human rights and freedoms adopted by the Republic of Croatia. In the course of 2008, the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions gave the Ombudsman’s Office an “A status” as an institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, being the highest status given to an institution for the protection of human rights which meets the criteria of the so-called “Paris Principles”. In recognition of the above, and taking into account that the Ombudsman, in conformity with his legal powers, had previously already regularly visited the establishments where persons deprived of their liberty were kept, the Croatian Parliament, on 28 January 2011, adopted the Act on National Preventive Mechanisms for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“Official Gazette” no. 18/2011, hereinafter referred to as: ANPM), laying down that NPM activities would be carried out by the Ombudsman. In carrying out NPM activities, in conformity with the ANPM, two representatives of the academic community must also take part, as well as two representatives of non-governmental organisations registered for the performance of activities in the area of the protection of human rights. They are chosen by the Ombudsman on the proposal of higher education institutions or non-governmental organisations on the basis of a public invitation. When necessary, the Ombudsman also includes other independent experts. The most important activities of the NPM are undoubtedly regular visits to establishments where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty, aimed at strengthening the protection of such persons against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and giving recommendations to government bodies and institutions that are bound, within the time period specified by the Ombudsman, to implement the recommended measures and inform the Ombudsman, without delay, of such achievement. If a body or an institution fails to act in accordance with the recommendations, the Ombudsman informs accordingly the Croatian Parliament. In addition, the NPM makes proposals and observations concerning draft acts and other regulations with a view to strengthening the protection of persons deprived of their liberty against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It also cooperates with the SPT which, in accordance with OPCAT, gives advice, assists and has direct contacts with the NPM. In order for persons carrying out the work of the NPM to be able to fulfil their tasks, they are authorised to pay unannounced visits to places and institutions and examine the facilities where persons deprived of their liberty are held; they have free access to any information concerning such places and institutions; they have free access to all information on the number of persons deprived of their liberty and held in the visited places or institutions; they have free access to any information concerning the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in accordance with the law; they are entitled to debrief persons deprived of their liberty by choice and without the presence of any officials working at the place or 8