Concept Note 18 October 2024 12h00 WAT---
1. Background to the Principles on Effective Interviewing
In his thematic report to the UN General Assembly in 2016, the then UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan E. Méndez, recognised an opportunity for policy and culture shift to prevent torture and ill-treatment from happening$^{1}$. He observed during his mandate that the most frequent setting where torture and coercion takes place is during the interrogation of suspects and for the purpose of obtaining confessions or declarations against others.
The report pointed to the availability of a large and growing body of scientific knowledge establishing that rapport-based, non-coercive methods for interviewing are the most effective for gathering information. At the same time, rigorous empirical research shows that torture and other ill-treatment are ineffective and counterproductive methods of questioning. In this context, the report called for the development of a set of international guidelines for interviews which by nature include the application of legal and procedural safeguards by authorities.
In May 2021, the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering were completed. The final text is the result of four years of their analysis and research in consultation with an Advisory Council of more than 80 experts from over 40 countries, supported by three international organisations: the Anti-Torture Initiative (ATI), the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights and the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT).
Today, these Principles are also known as the “Méndez Principles”, in recognition of the original proposal to the UNGA and widely welcomed by Member States, by the former UN Special Rapporteur. The Méndez Principles contribute to advance both human rights and effective administration of justice. Further, they are directly relevant to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 16.3 - promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. They are available in 10 languages on the Principles’ website: www.interviewingprinciples.com.
2. Maintaining the momentum in Africa
The ACHPR in 2022 on the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information-Gathering (Méndez Principles) -ACHPR/Res.545 (LXXIII) 2022 encourages State Parties to the African Charter to support the use of the six Méndez Principles as a framework for preventing torture and other ill-treatment during hearings and interviews.
$^{1}$ A/71/298, Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture, 5 August 2016
In support of the implementation of this resolution the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa has been collaborating with the Southern African Development Community SADC on how police can effectively enhance their interviewing and information-gathering techniques in a manner that will allow them to adduce evidence which is admissible in court without infringing on the rights of witnesses, victims, suspects and accused persons.