Monitoring Detention Centres and Mental Health Facilities

Public administration has the power to deprive people of their liberty following procedures clearly established by the law. But when detention takes place outside the public scrutiny it opens the door to violations of rights of the inmates, as well as to torture and ill-treatment. It is therefore essential to monitor places of detention. Also, detained individuals must have knowledge about their rights.

Civil Rights Defenders initiated cooperation with Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT) in 2007, in an activity that aimed at monitoring detention facilities and prisons.

Since the activity has led to positive improvements for detainees and prisoners, we are now extending the monitoring to also include mental health facilities.

KRCT was founded in 1999 and has since then been working in the areas of rehabilitation and prevention of torture in Kosovo. Civil Rights Defenders will continue to support the work of KRCT in their advocacy related work, advice and participate in monitoring missions and support capacity development of KRCT as an organisation.