In the report, the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment presents an overview of global trends and developments in the fight against torture and other ill-treatment. The report highlights the Méndez Principles alongside the Convention against Torture Initiative’s training tool on investigative interviewing as together providing a comprehensive set of resources for the effective documentation and investigation of torture and related ill-treatment.
Resource for effective documentation and investigations
Investigation and prosecution of allegations or torture involves specialist skills, the report argues, and must be "guided by the highest professional ethics and standards." It lists the The Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Istanbul Protocol) as a key forensic resource, and continues:
"In addition, the Principles of Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information-Gathering (the Méndez Principles) and the Convention against Torture Initiative training tool on investigative interviewing for criminal cases provide a complete set of resources for the effective documentation and investigations into torture and related ill-treatment."
Positive developments in implementation
The Rapporteur also notes positive developments in the implementation of the Méndez Principles in Brazil, Mexico, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Ukraine. She commends states that have taken steps to exclude torture-tainted evidence.
Among other examples, the report mentions Brazil and Nigeria: "In Brazil, the Superior Court of Justice held that the Méndez Principles are good practice for securing more accurate confessions," it states, adding: "The Supreme Court of Nigeria mandated that confessions during criminal investigations bust be video recorded in order to be admissible."
About the Mendez Principles
Grounded in science, law and ethics, the Principles propose a concrete alternative to interrogation methods that rely on coercion to extract confessions. They provide guidance on obtaining accurate and reliable information in full respect of the human rights and dignity of all, including through the implementation of legal and procedural safeguards in the first hours of police custody. The principles aim to transform the relationship between States and their citizens. They are intended to change how public authorities conduct interviewing and as a result improve trust in the State.
Read more about the Principles on our web pages or on https://interviewingprinciples.com/.