Deputy Ombudsman Saša Rajić participated in the workshop “Effective National Preventive Mechanisms – Strengthening Skills, Teamwork, and Strategic Action”, held on 19–20 November 2025 in Strasbourg, organized by the the European National Preventive Mechanisms (NPM) Forum as part of the EU/Council of Europe project “Support to Council of Europe for EU network of prison monitoring bodies.”

The workshop aimed to provide members of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) from various countries with targeted training, practical tools, and opportunities for mutual learning to enhance their operational impact and enable more effective and sustainable fulfillment of their mandates.

NPMs play a key role in protecting human rights and preventing torture and ill-treatment in places of detention. Their effectiveness depends not only on well-established institutional frameworks but also on the practical skills, strategic planning, and teamwork of their members. Moreover, NPMs serve both as observers and as catalysts for positive change, promoting respect for human dignity and adherence to international and European human rights standards in all places of detention.

The two-day workshop addressed topics including the challenges faced by NPMs in their work, the preparation of reports and recommendations, monitoring their implementation, enhancing communication skills and relations with the media, ethical standards in operations, as well as psychological support for NPM members and protection of their mental health.

In addition to sharing experiences from different NPMs, the workshop introduced two guides prepared by the Council of Europe: the first focused on monitoring the implementation of the European Commission Recommendation on the Procedural Rights of Suspects and Defendants in pre-trial detention and the material conditions in detention and remand facilities; and the second on the preparation of NPM reports.