How to choose a topic for a thematic report?

The point of departure when considering a thematic report should always be findings identified through the NPM’s regular visits to places of detention and be anchored in the NPMs ‘findings on the ground’. A number of considerations are important for NPMs when choosing a topic for a thematic report. These may include:

• Where the same or similar issues are found in a number of places of deprivation of liberty of the same type (such as police stations or psychiatric hospitals), often with a common, systemic, cause. An example of this might be failings in the way police inform suspects of their rights or provide access to a lawyer, following arrest.  
• When related issues are present across a number of different types of places of deprivation of liberty. This might include issues faced by a particular group in situations of vulnerability, such as children in both police stations and long-term detention facilities, or a particular set of practices and procedures that increase the risk of torture, such as seclusion or the use of restraints.  
• Themes where previous visit reports or recommendations have not led to the required change – particularly where such changes require new political will.
• Areas where there has been no or very little attention paid previously, either by the NPM or other oversight bodies, such as closed psychiatric institutions or aged care homes, for example.
• When it is in line with their strategy to do so, NPMs may also consider linking topics for thematic reports to those under consideration by international and regional human rights institutions, in order to magnify their visibility. For example, in the run up to a state appearing before the Child Rights Committee, an NPM could consider adopting a thematic focus on children in detention.
• Patterns and systemic issues that the NPM has identified during their regular visits that require sustained attention.
• Issues identified through consultation with civil society,
• Issues linked to ongoing public debates around important policies or legislative changes. In this regard, thematic reports can be an important way for NPMs to participate in and contribute to public debates.
• Thematic reports may also be a useful way for multiple body NPMs to build their collective identity and multiply their impact by speaking with one voice on a particular topic of concern across their different areas of expertise.

Finally, it is important to note that decisions about thematic priorities should be linked to the NPM’s strategic planning process.