12 September, 2024 marks the start of the Project “Technical support for more effective and resilient NPM” co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Commission.

The project was officially kicked-off on 23 September 2024 in Strasbourg, marking the beginning of an ambitious initiative that promises to strengthen NPM in Cyprus and support Ireland in establishing an NPM, and therefore contributing to enhanced monitoring of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

Ireland is preparing to ratify OPCAT, with plans to establish a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to provide independent oversight of police and prison detention, addressing existing gaps in police accountability. It is envisaged that the Inspectorate of Prisons will become the Inspectorate of Places of Detention and be designated as the NPM for the criminal justice sector.

Cyprus has designated its Ombudsman as the NPM but requires further capacity building, especially in areas like immigration, psychiatric institutions, social care homes, etc.

The event brought together key beneficiaries from Ireland and Cyprus, as well as project team members from the European Commission (DGREF) and the Council of Europe.