250.Children were accommodated in different parts of the building depending on their age and gender. The establishment was clean, nicely furnished and decorated. The children were taken care of by 45 staff members, working in shifts, who seemed to be competent and attentive to the needs of the children. The members of the delegation interviewed several children and heard no complaints. The SPT commends the authorities for having created very good conditions for these children in need of protection. D. Drug rehabilitation centres 251.At the time of the visit, there were three drug rehabilitation centres in the Maldives: the Drug rehabilitation Centre in Himmafushi, the Addu Atolhu Rehabilitation Centre, and the Feydhoofinolhu Detoxification Centre. The delegation visited the latter establishment. 252.The Feydhoofinolhu detoxification centre had been operating since 2006, and was run by the National Narcotics Control Bureau (NNCB) which was subordinated to the Ministry of Gender and Family in Malé. After a person is arrested by police and illegal drug is detected in urine, the NNCB can issue a resolution by which the person is placed here for three months provided the person agrees to treatment. In the absence of a resolution, the person stays in the hands of police and the case is concluded by court decision. Also persons on whom less than a gram of hashish is found can be placed in this centre. There was one doctor, two nurses and three counsellors as well as six staff members from the NNCB working in the centre. The counsellors provided psychological support. Furthermore, 20 Police officers were responsible for the security in the Centre. 253.At the time of the visit there were 41 persons in the Centre, accommodated in two houses with two dormitories each. Persons placed in the Detoxification centre underwent a special detoxification course, with the assistance of the doctors and counsellors. A counsellor elaborated a report after 90 days of stay and on that basis the NNCB decided whether the person could be released or should stay for another 90 days. The delegation was informed that those who violated the regime of the institution were handed over to the Police and transferred to another facility. 254.Apart from being in an isolated island, the persons held in the centre were allowed to move freely around the compound, and to participate in sport and other activities in the afternoon and go to the beach in the evening. Also education programs were offered, although persons held in the centre complained about the insufficient number of staff to conduct lectures. The persons held there could receive monthly visits, but conjugal visits were not allowed. The delegation heard complaints about the poor quality food and material conditions, and noted that the toilets of the centre were in an unsanitary condition. IV. COOPERATION A. Facilitation of the visit 255.In advance of the visit, the Maldivian authorities had designated Ms Luischa Aisath ZAHIR, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to act as liaison officer for the SPT visit. In preparation for the visit, the SPT requested and was provided by the authorities with extensive documentation in English of the legislation relating to deprivation of liberty as well as lists with addresses of places of deprivation of liberty. 256.The SPT wishes to express its appreciation for the good facilitation of the visit by the Maldivian authorities and to thank the liaison officer for her efforts to that end. B. Access 257.In general, the SPT had no problems of access to places it decided to visit. The generally rapid access to such places indicates that the relevant authorities were informed in advance about the SPT’s visit and the powers of access granted under the Optional Protocol. The staff in the locations visited were cooperative, and in those rare instances where they expressed doubts about the SPT’s mandate to have access to some materials, the issues were swiftly resolved. The SPT welcomes the efforts made to disseminate information to those whose work intersects with the mandate of the SPT. C. Interviews in private 258.The SPT notes with satisfaction that it was given unrestricted access to have private interviews with the persons deprived of their liberty without witnesses, as well as with any other person whom the delegation considered able to supply relevant information, in accordance with article 14, paragraph (1) d of OPCAT. 259.In view of the obligation under article 15 of the OPCAT, the SPT notes with satisfaction that it has not received allegations of reprisals after the visit. The SPT encourages the authorities to remain vigilant so as to prevent any such occurrences. D. Dialogue with and feedback/responses of the authorities 260.The many meetings with officials were very helpful in understanding the framework of the system of deprivation and liberty. The SPT wishes to thank the Ministries and institutions for the valuable information provided. 261.At the end of the visit the delegation presented its preliminary observations to the Maldivian authorities in confidence. The SPT also transmitted to the Maldivian authorities a copy of the preliminary observations. The SPT is grateful to the authorities for the spirit in which the delegation’s observations were received and the constructive discussion about ways forward. 262.In addition, the SPT wrote to the authorities on 3 March 2008 requesting updated information on any steps taken since the visit on certain issues which could be or were due to be addressed in the period following the visit. The SPT is still waiting for the Government’s reply to some of the issues raised in the note.