What are multiple body NPMs?

Multiple body NPMs are, as the name suggests, a model of a NPM that is comprised of several different institutions. In accordance with Article 17 of the OPCAT, each institution is required to comply with OPCAT and should be independent from state authorities and have the necessary mandate and powers.

A small number of countries have designated a multiple body NPM. Some multiple body NPMs comprise only two institutions, while others are much bigger comprising more than twenty institutions. Institutions that are part of multiple body NPMs can include national human rights commissions, ombuds institutions, new specialised institutions, independent inspectorate bodies, specialised commissions, and monitoring boards. The number of institutions and the type of institutions comprising a multiple body NPM is dependent on the country itself (including the population, the size of the country, and what institutions already exist).

The NPM may be comprised of institutions each responsible for a certain type of place of detention and/or thematic area, by institutions in different geographical areas, and/or institutions in different jurisdictions.