monitoring and control. The results of the first group’s work led to an optimisation of work processes that created the prerequisite for the new system of work organisation. The second project group submitted a summary of all of the internationally accepted investigative standards and compared these results with the standards appropriate in our culture. Inclusion of the NGOs In a subsequent step, work schedules were developed to establish the new institutions (Commissions and Human Rights Advisory Council) as efficiently and effectively as possible. Before the decision regarding the number, size and areas of competence of the Commissions could be taken, the Human Rights Advisory Council had to be established. The Human Rights Advisory Council consists of the chairperson and deputy chairperson who are appointed by the AOB and 32 additional members and substitute members (16 representatives of NGOs and 16 representatives of Ministries and Laender). For the AOB it was clear from the outset that NGOs needed to be included as early and as comprehensively as possible in the formation process of the Human Rights Advisory Council. Therefore, the AOB offered the NGOs the opportunity to determine the eligible organisations themselves. Appointment of the Commissions The appointment of the Commissions was a process that took many weeks. The three members of the AOB had to select the six Chairpersons of the Commissions from more than 100 applicants. More than 600 persons applied to work on the AOB Commissions. The members of the Human Rights Advisory Council also attended these hearings. The AOB views this unexpectedly high number of applications as an expression of interest in being involved with the new competences. Development of a new concept for reports The reorganisation also required an overhaul of the entire information management process. Vis-à-vis external parties, this includes the AOB reports. For example, the present report has been restructured and part of it, namely the chapter on preventive monitoring and controll (see page 35), has been executed such that it will be submitted to the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) in Geneva as the NPM Report. 10