What kind of reports may multiple body NPMs produce?

Annual report. Article 23 of the OPCAT requires states parties to “publish and disseminate the annual reports of the national preventive mechanisms”. Although this obligation is formulated as an obligation of the state, it is a clear requirement for NPMs to produce such report every year.

Multiple body NPMs should produce one consolidated annual report. This is often in addition to individual annual reports by each body covering their activities beyond their OPCAT mandate. The report reflects key recommendations and issues across the NPM.

Thematic reports. It is likely there will be common issues across the NPM institutions. Some NPMs have chosen to undertake thematic work together and publish reports on joint thematic issues. This is a positive feature of multiple body NPMs. This may include all or only some of the institutions. NPMs may do this on a regular basis or may do so as an issue arises. The institutions can leverage coverage of places of detention, and expertise when working together on a thematic issue, and give visibility to a certain issue that may exist across different detention settings or across different areas of the country.