from around the world, and publishes an annual report on its activities. Currently, there are 83 states parties to the OPCAT and 65 of them have already designated NPMs.1 National Preventive Mechanism of Georgia According to the amendments made to the organic law of Georgia on Public Defender, The Public Defender of Georgia carries out the functions of a National Preventive Mechanism, envisaged by the OPCAT. In order to fulfill powers of the National Preventive Mechanism, the Special Preventive Group is set up with the Public Defender of Georgia. The group regularly monitors the conditions and treatment of detainees and prisoners or persons whose liberty is otherwise restricted, convicted persons, as well as persons in mental health facilities, elderly care homes and children’s homes in order to protect them from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.2 The structure of the National Preventive Mechanism of Georgia is as follows: • Department of Prevention and Monitoring of the Public Defender’s Office; • Special Preventive Group, which includes experts from various fields, selected through public call; • The Advisory Council of the NPM constituting a consultative body aimed at supporting NPM activities. 2. REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM 2.1. PREVENTIVE VISITS This report presents the results of the monitoring carried out by the National Preventive Mechanism in the reporting period in penitentiary establishments, police divisions, temporary detention isolators, small family-type children’s homes,3 boarding houses for persons with disabilities, as well as the outcomes of the joint return operations of migrants. The monitoring has been conducted with the financial support of the European Union.4 1 Data retrieved from the official web site of the Association for the Prevention of Torture: http://apt.ch/en/ opcat-database/ [last accessed: 07.06.2017]. The Organic Law of Georgia on The Public Defender of Georgia, article 191(1). The monitoring outcomes are reflected in the 2015 Parliamentary Report of the Public Defender, see Chapter on Children’s Rights Protection, available in Georgian at: http://www.ombudsman.ge/uploads/other/3/3891.pdf [Last visited on 28.03.2017]. Within the European Project – Support to the Public Defender’s Office, II. 2 3 4 6 HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CLOSED INSTITUTIONS