Residential treatment institutions 4 11 36 6 6 59 Entry and reception centres for refugees/migrants 2 4 2 5 3 14 80 287 246 60 82 675 TOTAL In addition to the most important preventive effect of these visits, whose purpose is to prevent torture or other ill-treatment before it occurs, we also discovered that the living conditions and treatment of persons deprived of liberty improved in many institutions due to our recommendations. This is also seen in the number of the recommendations already realised from the total of 674 recommendations in 2016, which is 287 (or 42.5%) and 240 accepted recommendations (35.6%), or the share of rejected recommendations (9.6%). 1.5 International and other activities of the NPM In addition to visiting places of deprivation of liberty, the NPM is also engaged in many other activities, such as preparing proposals and comments on applicable or drafted acts, preparing and giving presentations to foreign delegations or visitors, preparing replies to questions from different NPM networks and other authorities, participating at meetings etc. NPM members participate at national and international events by presenting our operations and current experience. We also organise discussions with representatives of individual state authorities (also ministers) and present the Ombudsman’s work in this field elsewhere (the Police Academy in Tacen, Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, press conferences, training for judicial police officers). Various forms of training and work meetings are organised for all NPM members (including participating NGOs) at which we discuss aspects of our joint operations with the NGOs. We remain active in the South-East Europe NPM Network,6 the purpose of which is inter alia to establish better cooperation, exchange experience and implement numerous joint activities to improve the efficiency of performing duties and powers of the NPM in South East Europe which derive from the Optional Protocol. 1.6 Conclusion We believe that, in cooperation with the selected NGOs, the Ombudsman continued to ensure the efficient implementation of the duties and powers of the NPM in 2016, which is evident from the issued recommendations provided below. On the whole, we are pleased with the response of the relevant authorities (especially institutions that were visited) to our findings and recommendations for improving situations, since they show a readiness to cooperate. We particularly note that the institutions visited in 2016 are trying to take all the measures needed to make improvements which are in their domain. We are pleased to establish that the findings, proposals and recommendations for improvements made by the Ombudsman within the duties and powers of the NPM frequently result in an improvement in conditions and the treatment of persons deprived of liberty. We strive to further enhance and deepen cooperation with the relevant ministries, particularly regarding issues which demand systemic changes in the field. In conclusion, we highlight that the NPM’s operations significantly contribute to improving the situation of persons deprived of liberty. 6 See: http://www.varuh-rs.si/o-instituciji/podrocja-dela-varuha/varuh-kot-drzavni-preventivni-mehanizem/south-east-europe-npm-network/. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 11