The APT and civil society partners will draw on the principles set out in the #SafeInCustody Manifesto, launched at a regional conference in Bangkok, to guide ongoing dialogue, training and advocacy for torture prevention in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
The Manifesto distilled the key principles that underpinned the #SafeInCustody project, launched in March 2021, to reduce the risks of torture and ill-treatment during police custody in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
During the regional conference, held to close the three-and-a-half year project, representatives from a variety of organisations signed the Manifeso and pledged to support efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment, with a focus on the first hours of police custody.
This conference was an opportunity to learn from each other, to refresh our commitment to torture prevention, and to strengthen our collaboration so that everybody can be safe in custody.
The #SafeInCustody project was a partnership between the APT, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), and the Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) of Thailand. It was supported by the European Union.
Across the three countries, a broad range of initiatives were undertaken to promote transparency in police custody, strengthen police practices in effective interviewing, and build public awareness and support for the absolute prohibition of torture.
The regional conference, held on 11 July 2024, was an opportunity for stakeholders, including representatives from government, national human rights institutions and civil society to exchange experiences and insights to build on progress from the #SafeInCustody project.
“The presentations highlighted the importance of collaboration to maintain the momentum for torture prevention across the three countries,” said APT Secretary General Barbara Bernath.
During the conference, the APT launched a #SafeInCustody online game that uses different scenarios to unpack common questions about rights on arrest. We also launched a website that includes an overview of good practices for torture prevention identified through the #SafeInCustody project.
The regional conference featured participation from high-level representatives from across the region.
From the Philippines, notable attendees included officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Medical Action Group.
Malaysia was represented by officials from the University of Reading, the Centre of Military and International Humanitarian Law (CoMIHL) and the Malaysia Bar Council.
Thai participants included representatives from the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA), the Royal Thai Police (RTP), the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), the Ministry of Justice, the Nitivajra Institute, and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
“The point that many speakers made was that collaboration, open dialogue and a shared commitment across government, law enforcement and the community are absolutely essential to make genuine progress towards torture-free societies,” Ms Bernath said.
“This reflects the approach that underpinned the #SafeInCustody project and how we will continue to develop and support torture prevention initiatives in the region.”
The #SafeInCustody project is funded by the European Union. This content is the sole responsibility of the APT and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
