As from 1 July 2011 the Parliamentary Ombudsmen have
a special unit – the OPCAT unit – which task is to monitor
that individuals deprived of their liberty are not exposed to
cruel, inhumane or other degrading treatment or punishment. The unit’s work is based on the Optional Protocol
of the United Nations Convention against Torture of 2002
(OPCAT). This protocol requires states to have a national
system, a National Preventive Mechanism, NPM, to monitor this area.
On behalf of the ombudsmen the OPCAT unit regularly
inspects places in Sweden where individuals deprived of
their liberty are being held, reports on its visits and takes
part in international cooperation in this area.