On 12 October, a regional conference of national preventive mechanisms against torture (NPMs) of the Western Balkans was organised in cooperation with Kosovo* Ombudsperson Institution. The aim of the conference was to raise awareness on the importance of prevention of ill-treatment of persons with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities in the context of deprivation of liberty.
The conference “Mental Disability, Deprivation of Liberty and Human Dignity” brought together more than 80 participants, representatives of NPMs, Ombudspersons’ institutions and civil society organizations from Kosovo*, Albania, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. The regional NPMs presented situation in the national context of their countries emphasising on the main challenges and good practices that could be replicated by colleagues in the region. In addition, two international experts of the European Committee for Prevention of Torture (CPT) presented the international standards in prevention of ill-treatment of persons with mental disorders in criminal justice system and psychiatric establishments and gave overview of CPT findings during the visits to specific countries in the region. Representatives of psychiatric hospitals, social care facilities, police, courts, prosecution, penitentiary and social welfare institutions were also invited to present their views and key challenges they face in placement and treatment of persons with mental disorders deprived of liberty.
The conference concluded with set of recommendations on how to further strengthen cooperation between national preventive mechanisms, international monitoring bodies, civil society and relevant authorities for better protection of rights of persons with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities deprived of liberty.
The project "Strengthening the National preventive Mechanism in Kosovo*" is funded by the Council of Europe, Swiss and Norwegian governments, and implemented by the Council of Europe in partnership with Ombudsperson Institution.
