Cont ents 1 Monitoring issues No one should be treated in a degrading or humiliating manner. This aim also applies in the Netherlands to those detained, cared for or treated under nonconsensual conditions, or whose freedom has been restricted by the government in any other way. Under the UN’s Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) 1, a number of different organisations in the Netherlands together form the so-called National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). This 2017-2018 annual report features the NPM assessment of detention conditions and the treatment of detainees or people whose freedom has been restricted. According to the annual report, the rights of those whose freedom has been restricted in the Netherlands are respected. Based on the outcomes of these monitoring efforts, the NPM concludes that people whose freedom has been restricted are cared for in an adequate and conscientious manner. However, a number of reports and recommendations do call for the further strengthening of human rights at legislative, policy and practical level. The five main themes in 2017 and 2018 are outlined below. Forensic care In 2017 and in the first few months of 2018, incidents occurred at a number of forensic care institutions. The Inspectorate of Justice and Security as well as the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, which are part of the NPM, are investigating incidents in eight hospitals 2. From a detailed analysis of these investigations it is clear that changes are required for a number of commonly recurring themes. These themes are safety, staffing, management, communication and risk assessment. As staff in the hospitals work very hard, often in difficult circumstances, it is crucial that the institutions and the 1 2 According to Article 3 of the OPCAT, member states are obliged to ‘set up, designate or maintain [...] one or several visiting bodies for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’. These bodies, responsible for conducting site visits within the member state, are referred to as the NPM. Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum De Rooyse Wissel, Forensisch psychiatrische afdeling Roosenburg, Forensisch psychiatrische kliniek De Woenselse Poort, Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum de Kijvelanden, Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum de Oostvaarderskliniek, Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum dr. S van Mesdag, Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum de Pompestichting and Forensisch psychiatrisch centrum van der Hoeven. 3