punishment is the most serious human rights violations. They equally destroy human dignity and body and soul. As the 2015 report shows, there is an increased danger that such risks actually materialise, especially when the available resources for placement and care are inadequate and human rights obligations vis-à-vis vulnerable groups are viewed as disposable. A state that respects human rights and wishes to prevent torture, violence and degrading conditions must do far more than merely keep the people in its custody alive. This is particularly apparent when the resulting organisational and budgetary challenges are great. A nation governed by the rule of law cannot simply shake off the obligation to guarantee the protection of and respect for human rights and human dignity – not even selectively. In this sense, the inviolability of human dignity must be understood in the most literal sense and the principle of the rule of law stands or falls with it. 1.2. Developments within the NPM in the reporting year 1.2.1. Monitoring framework, methodology and recommendations of the NPM The year 2015 made it obvious that with increasing practical experience, it is necessary to further develop and adapt the structures and processes of the NPM. The “triangulation of methods” used by the NPM refers to this process of cross-checking all information – not only to ensure its accuracy, but particularly to identify certain patterns and structural problems. In preparing a visit, each individual investigative step that must be undertaken (e.g. interviews, access to medical histories, enforcement plans, care concepts) is worked out in advance. Equally, it must also be considered how circumstances that are discovered during conversations can best be cross-checked. Depending on usefulness and topic, the cross-check is undertaken by way of subsequent control activities or a review of the provisional results by way of other methods. NPM states its procedure proactively on its website As required by the SPT, the Austrian NPM sets out uniform methods and standards for all of its activities in July 2015 in order to improve its effectiveness. In a process that has taken more than a year, the AOB and the commissions have taken fundamental decisions with regard to monitoring framework, methodology and further action and have also published them on the website (see Annex I). All the recommendations made by the NPM between 2012 and 2014 have also been published on the website (see Annex II). This document is being updated regularly and provides some direction for the facilities and institutions visited with regard to the criteria used to assess them. 7