On February 4, 2016, the Public Defender held a working meeting with members of the renewed Special Preventive Group. The meeting focused on the rights and duties defined by the Organic Law on Public Defender and the provisions of the National Preventive Mechanism, as well as professional ethics, work methodology and other aspects related to the National Preventive Mechanism.

The Special Preventive Group was set up for the purpose of effectively fulfilling the functions of the National Preventive Mechanism. The Group regularly checks situations in penitentiary and psychiatric facilities, as well as in care homes for older persons and children, in order to protect them from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Effective activities of the Special Preventive Group and high professional standards of the group members are essential for proper fulfillment of the functions of the National Preventive Mechanism. The aim of the meeting was to devise specific objectives for further development and strengthening.

The meeting was held in a businesslike and constructive dialogue format. Participants of the meeting outlined a number of important tasks.