to the reader TO THE READER The Parliamentary Ombudsman has acted as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) since 7 November 2014. Separate sections on these activities have been included in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's annual reports for 2015, 2016 and 2017. In addition, a more extensive English-language publication was prepared on the 2016 operations. It is not possible to detail all the findings and recommendations made by the NPM in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report. Therefore, this more expensive report on the activities of the NPM has been prepared and published on the Ombudsman's website in Finnish, Swedish and English. In Finland, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has a strong mandate in matters concerning fundamental and human rights, and the Ombudsman is part of Finland’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) established according to the Paris Principles. Inspection visits to closed institutions have been one of the Ombudsman’s special tasks even before receiving the NPM mandate. However, oversight of the treatment of people deprived of their liberty has been further diversified under the OPCAT. Oversight of legality has been complemented with a preventive approach and constructive dialogue with public authorities and the staff of institutions. These elements have been present in the Ombudsman’s inspection visits long before NPM duties, but the new mandate has further emphasised their importance. Visits and the related activities are an effective tool and a central area of focus for the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The use of external experts on visits has expanded the NPM’s expertise, helped view issues from various viewpoints and diversified dialogue. International cooperation and training activities have also increased substantially. Overall, it can be said that the Ombudsman's opinions and recommendations are complied with fairly well. Non-compliance is usually explained by a lack of resources or shortcomings in legislation. Petri Jääskeläinen Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland Iisa Suhonen OPCAT Coordinator, Senior Legal Advisor 3