“The NIHRC informed that their legal framework does not specify a provision on unannounced visits to places of detention. However, in practice there are practical arrangements with public bodies that allow the NIHRC to carry out announced, and potentially unannounced visits. The NIHRC informed the SCA that, in the last 12 months, it has conducted 3 visits to places of deprivation of liberty, including places of detention of women and youth.  

The SCA recommends that the NIHRC continues to access all places of deprivation of liberty, including without prior notice. It further recommends the NIHRC to effectively monitor, investigate, and report on the human rights situation in a timely manner, and to undertake systematic follow-up activities and advocate for the consideration and implementation of its findings and recommendations in order to ensure the protection of those deprived of their liberty. 

 The SCA refers to Paris Principles A.3 and D(d) and to its General Observation 1.6 on ‘Recommendations by NHRIs’.”