8 The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2002, and entered into force in 2006. Its objective is to protect people who are deprived of their liberty. People who are deprived of their liberty find themselves in a particularly vulnerable situation, and face an increased risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The background to the Optional Protocol was a desire to increase efforts to combat and prevent torture and ill-treatment. OPCAT therefore stipulates new work methods to strengthen these efforts. States that endorse the Optional Protocol are obliged to establish or appoint one or several national preventive mechanisms to regularly carry out visits to places where people are, or may be, deprived of their liberty, in order to strengthen their protection against torture and ill-treatment. The national preventive mechanisms have the possibility to make recommendations that highlight risk factors for violations of integrity. They can also submit proposals and comments concerning existing or draft legislation. NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2017 The preventive mechanisms must be independent of the authorities and places of detention, have the resources they require at their disposal and have employees with the necessary competence and expertise. The Optional Protocol also established an international prevention committee that works in parallel with the national preventive mechanisms, the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT). The SPT can visit all places of detention in the states that have endorsed the Optional Protocol. The SPT's mandate also includes providing advice and guidance to the national preventive mechanisms. — Preventing torture and ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty is the goal of the NPM’s work. —