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.