Exchange Meeting of the German-Speaking National Preventive Mechanisms

On November 10 and 11, this year's exchange meeting of the German-speaking National Preventive Mechanisms (NPM) took place at the Austrian Ombudsman Board. For the first time, representatives of the National Preventive Mechanisms from Luxembourg and the Principality of Liechtenstein also took part.

On the first day of the exchange, the participants dealt with the observation of police operations and inspection activities in accommodations for asylum seekers. More intensive attention was paid to the monitoring of deportations, which often pose complex challenges for the accompanying NPM members.

Various manifestations of violence were discussed in connection with the inspection of nursing homes and homes for the elderly. Violence has many faces and is not always visible, which requires a particularly prudent methodology in audit activities. In the course, the participants discussed perceptions from the inspection of nursing home and homes for the elderly.

Another focal point was the inspection of child and youth welfare facilities. Due to a massive shortage of staff and a lack of resources for the training and further education of employees, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide high-quality care. Recommendations of the Ombudsman Board in this regard were presented in this context.