Overview of the AOB Legal mandate Expansion of competences as of 1 July 2012 Since 1 July 2012, the AOB has also assumed preventive monitoring duties: Monitoring and control of public and private institutions and facilities where persons are or can be detained is now within its remit. Its remit also includes institutions and facilities as well as programmes for persons with disabilities in order to prevent any form of exploitation, violence or abuse. The observatory and in itinere monitoring of the exercise of direct administrative power and compulsion by police, including but not limited to manifestations and (forced) returns, are included in the new competences; the AOB has assumed these from the previous Human Rights Advisory Council, which was part of the Ministry of the Interior. It is the responsibility of the AOB to charge the expert Commissions it has established with the actual execution of monitoring and control activities. A total of more than 4,000 institutions and facilities have to be inspected. This includes, for example, correctional institutions, psychiatric institutions, retirement and nursing homes, crisis centres and facilities for persons with disabilities. The AOB will perform its new duties jointly with the Commissions as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Implementation of UN human rights conventions The basis for the expansion of its competences are two significant UN human rights conventions under which the Republic of Austria has committed itself to human rights guarantees and international standards: The UN Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) of 18 December 2002, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (CRDP). Compliance with international guidelines The AOB and the Commissions are bound by international standards in the execution of their new competences. This gives rise to the necessity and obligation on the part of the AOB to cooperate closely with international organisations, such as the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT). This cooperation will ensure that experience is shared on an international level. Additionally, the AOB must publish an annual NPM Report and send it to the SPT in Geneva. 8