National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) from the EU and Council of Europe Member States met in Strasbourg on 4-5 April 2017 for the launching conference of the EU NPM network, a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. Representatives of the SPT, the CPT, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, OSCE/ODIHR and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions were also present. The meeting served to discuss the objectives of the network and an issue that is quintessential for the impact of NPMs: Reporting, recommendations, engagement with stakeholders and follow-up to recommendations.

Stephanie Krisper and Gerrit Zach of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights participated in the conference, gave presentations on key thematic areas of the conferences and each moderated working groups.