29 In discharging the NPM operations, the Provincial Protector of Citizens visited the Police Administration in Subotica, District Prison in Subotica, Home for children and adults with mental disabilities “Veternik“, Gerontology Center in Novi Sad, Home for persons with mental disabilities Оtthon and the Gerontology Center in Vršac. The representatives of the Provincial Protector of Citizens also attended the thematic visits of NPM, in order to monitor the treatment of refugees/migrants acting by competent authorities. In 2016, together with the Protector of Citizens, the Provincial Protector of Citizens visited the Reception Center in Subotica and Sombor, border crossing points in Horgoš and Kelebija, Reception Centre in Subotica and Sombor, BCPs Horgoš and Kelebija, District Prison in Subotica, Correctional Institution in Sombor and Regional Border Police Centres at BCPs with Hungary and Romania. 4.5. Participation of the civil sector in the NPM activities At the beginning of 2016, pursuant to Article 2а, Para 2 of the Law on Ratification of Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment („Off.Gazette of Serbia and Montenegro – International Treaties“, no. 16/05 и 2/06 and ”Official Gazette of RS - International Treaties“, no. 7/11), the Protector of Citizens made a public invitation to associations whose Statutes envisage improvement and protection of human rights and freedoms, for the purpose of cooperation with NPM activities and in particular, participation of association representatives and partners of associations in the visits to locations where persons deprived of their liberty are placed, drafting of reports, providing recommendations, opinions and other acts and performance other NPM tasks. Based on the procedure that followed the public call62, the Protector of Citizens adopted the Decision63 whereby 9 associations were selected to participate in NPM tasks: Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, Victimology Society of Serbia, Group 484, Mental Disability Rights Initiative (MDRI-S), Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), International Aid Network (IAN), Committee for Human Rights in Valjevo, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia and Centre for Human Rights in Niš. Based on the Decision on the selection of associations, the Protector of Citizens concluded individual cooperation agreements with the above stated associations on performing NPM tasks, defining all the issues relevant for the implementation of cooperation (tasks, activities, rights, obligations, powers, compensation of costs and other).64 The Protector of Citizens passed the Decision on fees for performing of NPM activities, based on the Cooperation Agreements65. This Decision regulates the amount of cost refund for the Associations providing their support to the Protector of Citizens with the performance of NPM tasks.66 62 63 64 65 66 Published on January 29, 2016 in the “Official Gazette of RS“. Number 285-7/16 of February 23, 2016 Model of Cooperation Agreement in ANNEX II of the Report Reg. no. 6174 of February 24, 2016 Article 2 of the Decision on amount of fee for performing of NPM tasks