What are the principles underlying the selection process for NPMs?

Transparency is a key principle that should underpin any selection process, that aims in the appointment of good members who can serve with integrity, and thus in an effective NPM. This principle means that both the selection criteria and the process should be established in legislation or another binding document and made available to the public before the start of the process. It is also a good practice to make sure that the selection criteria are developed in consultation with a wide range of interested parties, including civil society. 

In the case of NPMs with several members, representativeness and multidisciplinarity are also key principles of any good selection process. This is because a diverse team that represents both the community and a multidisciplinarity of expertise is essential to effective NPM work. It also strengthens NPMs and improves their ability to be trusted and responsive to the different needs of diverse groups in detention and society, including those in situations of vulnerability. The OPCAT also requires states to strive for gender balance as well as ‘adequate representation of ethnic and minority groups in the country’ (Article 18).