34 5. Visits conducted by the NPM vants with a law degree. When it was necessary, lawyers possessing the required professional knowledge, working in other organizational units of my Office also participated in the visits in order to ensure the effective conduct of the inspection. In 2016, in addition to lawyers, experts with degrees in medicine, psychology, education and nutritional science also participated in the NPM’s inspections. 5.2. The conduct of the inspections 5.2.1. Access to places of detention, certification of procedural right Pursuant to Article 20, Paragraphs b) and c) of the OPCAT, in order to enable the NPMs to fulfil their mandate, the States Parties have to grant them access to all places of detention and their installations and facilities, and to all information referring to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, as well as their conditions of detention. As Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, I may proceed within the NPM’s competence without any restrictions. Pursuant to Section 39/D, Subsection (1) of the Ombudsman Act, when I perform the tasks of NPM not in person, but by way of my authorized colleagues, they are also entitled to the rights specified in Section 21 of the Ombudsman Act. My public servant staff members entitled to proceed within the frameworks of my general activities aimed at the protection of fundamental rights, including those participating in performing the tasks of the NPM, possess an Office Identity Card, showing the inscription “Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights,” their serial number, photo, name and official position. Upon arriving at the place of detention, members of the delegation introduce themselves, present the purpose of their visit, their Office ID Cards, and hand over a letter of authorization, signed by me, certifying that they are entitled to perform the tasks of the NPM. The letter of authorization also contains the names of external experts participating in the inspection of the given place of detention and their authorization to proceed. In 2016, all visits were carried out without prior notification. The dates and times of the visits were usually in compliance with the Office’s working order. Visits to certain places of detention, holding extremely vulnerable detainees, were adjusted to the peculiarities of the given institution. The visiting delegations were able to enter most places of detention without delay. The only exception was the Holding Facility of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Emergency Response Team of the National

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