Article 27 of the enabling law mandates the DPP to carry out inspections at any public institution, including police, prisons or police facilities, and that it will not be denied timely access to any public office, nor to any file or document related to investigations it is undertaking. While the law is not explicit on the DPP’s ability to carry out unannounced visits, the DPP notes that it has, in practice, been able to conduct unannounced visits to those premises.

The SCA is of the view that an NHRI´s mandate should be interpreted in a broad and purposive manner. Specifically, the mandate should authorize unannounced and free access to inspect and examine any public premises, documents, equipment, and assets without prior written notice; authorize the full investigation into alleged human rights violations, including the military, police, and security officers.

The SCA encourages the DPP to continue advocating for amendments in its law to explicitly include the ability to carry out announced or unannounced visits to places of deprivation of liberty.

The SCA refers to Paris Principles A.1 and A.2 and to its General Observation 1.2 on “Human rights mandate”.