The People's Advocate believes that the reactions of NGOs that contest the transfer of torture prevention competences to Ombudsman have appeared because his intentions have been misunderstood. Mihai Cotorobai told IPN that his proposals were meant to enhance the prevention of torture.

"The Ministry of Justice has requested the position of the People's Advocate's Office on the whole package of human rights laws, including an article on the functioning of the Torture Prevention Council," Mihai Cotorobai said.

The people’s advocate believes that the NGOs have taken his proposals out of the context. "Yes, we are proposing to change the mechanism for improving the torture prevention system. But civil society representatives have taken on several responsibilities which do not pertain to them and this is an interference in the public authorities’ activity”, the ombudsman mentioned.

Mihai Cotorobai also said that among the NGOs that signed the note contesting the transfer of torture prevention duties to the people's advocate, there were organizations that had no connection to human rights area.

"In most countries, the torture prevention mechanisms are within the competences of the people's advocate, who hires civil society experts in order to carry out the torture prevention activity," Mihai Cotorobai said.

The Ombudsman also stated that his proposals had the role of making the functioning of the Torture Prevention Council more efficient, as it should be reformed and not liquidated. "Council members continue to be experts hired by the people's advocate", Mihai Cotorobai concluded.

Several NGOs have asked the Ministry of Justice not to implement the initiative to dissolve the Council for the Prevention of Torture (CpPT) and to pass on its duties to the People's Advocate.