Mandate and Method

The UN Convention against Torture states that torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are prohibited, and that this prohibition is absolute. Every year, people are deprived of their liberty due to criminal offences, mental illness, or other reasons. These individuals are at increased risk of being subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The Parliamentary Ombud’s mandate

On 21 June 2013, the Norwegian Parliament decided that Norway would accede to the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), an international human rights agreement aimed at protecting people deprived of their liberty. The Parliamentary Ombud was assigned the task of exercising the mandate under this protocol and, in 2014, established a separate preventive unit.

The preventive unit conducts regular visits to places where people are deprived of their liberty, such as prisons, police custody facilities, mental health care institutions, child welfare institutions, and immigration detention centres. Based on these visits, the Parliamentary Ombud provides recommendations aimed at preventing torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. This work provides the public with greater insight into the conditions in places where people are deprived of their liberty.

In addition to these visits, dialogue and cooperation at both national and international levels are important aspects of the preventive work.

Visits to places of deprivation of liberty

Visits may be conducted with or without prior notice and can include both public and private institutions throughout the country. We may also visit temporary places of deprivation of liberty, such as transport by car or plane, an interview waiting room, or the emergency medical service.

The Parliamentary Ombud has access to all places where anyone is deprived of their liberty, and unrestricted access to all information of relevance to the conditions of those deprived of their liberty.

Before visits

Each visit begins with gathering information from a range of sources. This includes, among other things, information about the location to be visited from supervisory authorities and other relevant bodies. The Parliamentary Ombud has access to all necessary information relevant to the conditions of deprivation of liberty. As a general rule, the institution is not informed of the exact dates of the visit.

During visits

During visits, our main focus is always on conducting private interviews with persons deprived of their liberty. These conversations are essential for understanding how they experience their situation and the institution.

We also interview staff, management, health services, and other relevant parties. In addition, we inspect the location and review and analyse documents. It is important to gather information from multiple sources. Interpreters are used when necessary.

After visits

We summarise each visit in a report. The report describes the findings and risk factors identified during the visit. It also contains the Parliamentary Ombud’s recommendations for reducing the risk of people deprived of their liberty being subjected to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

We publish the reports on our website, and they are available for anyone to read.

Dialogue, information and advice

In order to fulfil the mandate of preventing torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, the Parliamentary Ombud relies on maintaining good dialogue with responsible authorities at the national, regional, and local levels. We also engage in broad dialogue with relevant civil society actors.

Sharing information about the conditions of those deprived of their liberty, and raising public awareness of challenges in the various sectors, is a priority for the Parliamentary Ombud.

The staff of the preventive unit also maintain close contact with relevant professional communities. We have an Advisory Committee that provides advice and input to the work of the preventive unit. We have an Advisory Committee that provides advice and input to our work.

International cooperation

The Parliamentary Ombud cooperates with a range of international actors. We have a special cooperation with the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT). The SPT may visit all places of deprivation of liberty in countries that have acceded to the UN Optional Protocol. Visits are conducted both with and without prior notice. In addition, the SPT provides advice and guidance to national preventive mechanisms. The Parliamentary Ombud submits annual reports on its preventive activities to the UN Subcommittee.

A dedicated Nordic network for prevention has been established under the OPCAT mandate. Its aim is to facilitate increased cooperation, learning, and information sharing among the Nordic countries.

We are also in dialogue with other international organisations with expertise in torture prevention, such as the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).