Annual report 2011: Spain’s National Preventive Mechanism Country Nº of inspections Results & other activities •  In 2010 1241 persons deprived of liberty & 252 staff were interviewed. Azerbaijan 396 •  Technical, legal & doctrinal analyses, plus recommendations & proposals for changes in regulations. •  Activities to promote human rights – seminars, leaflets, press releases, lectures, etc. •  Recommendations. Costa Rica Noteworthy observations •  The report covers 2009 & 2010. •  The NPM team comprised 17 members. •  There are around 250 places of deprivation of liberty in the country. •  Scheduled and/or exceptional or ad hoc visits were made. •  Many of the investigations conducted have resulted in serious sanctions and liabilities for the authorities and agents of authority. •  The report includes a regulatory annex and a photo annex. •  The NPM team has 3 members, but Ombudsman’s office staff & independent personnel also took part in the inspections. •  An inter-institutional committee has been set up with the Ombudsman and the Government that meets regularly to analyse the outcomes of inspections & decide on measures to be taken. 59 •  The inspection reports from previous years have been reformulated. •  A strategic plan is drawn up for each year. •  Recommendations. •  A regulatory annex is included. •  The report has a financial/ economic part. •  Old people’s homes & geriatric units are visited. Slovenia •  Slovenian Red Cross personnel & independent experts take part in the visits. 44 •  The standard form contracts & regulations governing independent experts are included, along with the way in which they are contracted via public tender. •  Technical, legal & doctrinal analyses, recommendations & proposals for changes in regulations. Estonia 33 •  Activities to promote human rights – training seminars, leaflets, lectures, etc. •  Processing of complaints & claims. 32  •  Most but not all inspection visits are unannounced. •  The country has around 150 places of deprivation of liberty. •  The report covers specific doctrinal issues (e.g. video-surveillance, use of phones & PCs, protection of personal data, etc.) and adopts working criteria. •  A method of action for each potential situation is worked out.   THE OMBUDSMAN OF SPAIN