The APT, in partnership with Malaysia's Centre of Military and International Humanitarian Law (CoMIHL), held a two-day workshop on Creating a Conducive Environment for Effective Interviewing and Information Gathering for Investigation.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Royal Malaysia Police, international experts and local stakeholders to promote the application of safeguards in police custody in Malaysia, combined with non-coercive interviewing techniques in accordance with the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering (known as the Méndez Principles).
The Méndez Principles are recognised globally as a benchmark for ethical and effective law enforcement practices. They seek to prevent torture and ill-treatment during investigations by promoting science-based, non-coercive techniques that respect human rights and improve the reliability of information gathered during interrogations.
The workshop combined theory and practice, giving participants a solid understanding of the importance of human rights in law enforcement and supporting a more effective system. Sessions covered international human rights standards, the psychological aspects of interviewing, and the operationalisation of the Méndez Principles.
Expert speakers included representatives from APT, Dr Kai Li Chung from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and Detective Inspector Mike Foster from the New Zealand Police, who shared insights on the PEACE model of interviewing, a non-coercive technique used in several countries around the world including in New Zealand.
Participants took part in practical exercises on interviewing methods and discussed challenges to implementing non-coercive practices in Malaysia. A key focus was on equipping law enforcement officials with the skills needed to identify and prevent situations that could lead to human rights violations.
The workshop concluded with a plenary session to outline a roadmap for adopting non-coercive interviewing methods in Malaysia. Participants identified challenges, including resource constraints and the need for further training. They also discussed the role of senior leadership in ensuring compliance with human rights standards within law enforcement agencies.
"This collaboration between APT, CoMIHL, and other partners is a step towards systemic change in Malaysia’s law enforcement practices. This workshop has set the foundation for advancing torture prevention and improving public trust in law enforcement institutions," APT Regional Project Manager Nid Satjipanon said.
"As Malaysia continues to work towards aligning its practices with international human rights standards, the APT sees the opportunity to further enhance the effectiveness and fairness of its criminal justice system through supporting local Malaysian actors," Mr Satjipanon said.
