1 Context In the framework of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)1, several organizations have been appointed as members of the ‘national preventive mechanism’ (NPM) in the Netherlands. In this annual report of 2014 the NPM reports on the conditions of detention and treatment of persons in the Netherlands restricted in their freedom. The NPM annual report is also submitted to the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) of the United Nations. This report starts with describing the context of the NPM and its members. A summary of the supervisory and advisory activities of the NPM in 2014 follows. 1.1 The Dutch National Preventive Mechanism The NPM of the Netherlands is made up of the following bodies: • Inspectorate of Security and Justice ( Inspectorate VenJ)2 • Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ) • Inspectorate for Youth Care (IJZ) • Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ) The additional associates include: • Commissions of oversight for penitentiary institutions (CvT)3 • Commissions of oversight for police custody (CTA)4 • Detention Areas Supervisory Commission of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee Appendix I contains a summary of the competences of the individual bodies. The Dutch NPM is formed by various organizations chosen because they jointly cover the monitoring and advisory area of persons deprived of their liberty. Each participant has its own tasks, responsibilities and mandates, that are established in laws and regulations. In addition, these organizations have a shared responsibility as NPM. Besides its regular supervision and advisory activities, the Dutch NPM has the ambition to combine signals that could indicate inhumane treatment and act when necessary. 1 2 3 4 Article 3 of OPCAT obliges each State Party to “set up, designate or maintain [...] one or several visiting bodies for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. Those bodies that hold inspections domestically are referred to as the NPM. The IVenJ also serves as coordinator of the NPM network. The Sounding Board Group Commissions of oversight for penitentiary institutions represents the CvTs during NPM meetings. The National Centre for the commissions of oversight for police custody represents the CvTs during NPM meetings. 4