Monitoring psychiatric institutions: what role for NPMs? In response to the many risks identified, NPMs can play a key role in strengthening the protection of persons placed in psychiatric institutions. Their preventive mandate allows them to visit these places of deprivation of liberty to observe the treatment of persons deprived of liberty and the conditions in the establishment, with the aim of identifying the causes of torture and other ill-treatment and, based on their findings, to engage in a dialogue with the state authorities to improve laws and practices. It is thus incumbent upon them to guide the authorities towards adopting legislative frameworks and public policies based on non-discrimination and the respect for human rights. The NPMs also play a significant role in raising awareness among the general public by publishing reports or statements on their findings. To achieve this, it is essential that everyone within each NPM is aware of the standards that govern the deprivation of liberty of persons with mental disabilities, including the principles enshrined in the CRPD. It is, moreover, essential that NPMs be trained on the specificities of monitoring psychiatric institutions and that they define the scope and limits of their monitoring mandate. Scope and limitations of NPMs’ preventive mandate How do NPMs tackle the issue of international standards on deprivation of liberty of persons with mental disabilities, but also in connection with the use of restraint or seclusion? Should they question the deprivation of liberty as such and encourage alternatives to institutionalisation and the right of persons with mental disabilities to live independently within the community? Most NPMs recognise that the CRPD standards are a reference and that the principle of non-discrimination and recognition of persons with disabilities as subjects of rights must govern their action. Nevertheless, they have identified major obstacles to the implementation of these principles, in particular the reassessment 31