The importance of independent monitoring to the situation of minorities in detention Statement for the Minority Forum, November 2015 Louise Finer, HM Inspectorate of Prisons and UK National Preventive Mechanism Please check against delivery Mr President, I thank you for this opportunity to address the UN Minority Forum. I represent HM Inspectorate of Prisons, an independent monitoring body with statutory duty to report on the treatment of prisoners and the conditions in prisons in England and Wales. HMIP’s remit extends to the inspection of immigration detention facilities, some youth custody, court, police and customs custody.. HMI Prisons is one of the 20 members and the coordinator of the UK’s NPM, set up in 2009 to fulfill the UK’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT). OPCAT sets out the importance of regular independent monitoring to prevent ill treatment of detainees. Monitoring also plays an important role in strengthening protection of the rights of minorities. Specifically, it:  shines a light on out of sight places and practices  generates recommendations aimed at improving the treatment and conditions of detainees  builds understanding of what happens to people detention, providing data and description that may otherwise be hard to come by. Monitoring must be independent of the government and detention authorities. Bodies that monitor must be credible and constructive. Their methodologies must ensure the views of detainees are considered, alongside other sources of evidence including observation, reviewing documentation and speaking to staff and other stakeholders. Monitoring bodies