Johannesburg played host to a meeting that marked a significant step in the implementation of the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, more commonly known as the Méndez Principles.
The Southern African Regional Police Commissioners Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), in collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and its Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA), met on 1-2 July 2024 to promote the shift to non-coercive interviewing based on the Méndez Principles.
The ACHPR laid the groundwork for this initiative in 2022 when it adopted Resolution 545 (LXXIII) 2022, urging State Parties to the African Charter to implement the six Méndez Principles.
The workshop, which brought together law enforcement officials, particularly heads of Criminal Investigation Departments (CIDs), from across the region, helped raise awareness of the ACHPR resolution and the Méndez Principles.
The meeting also aimed to identify the specific needs and challenges that Southern African police organisations might face in effectively implementing the Principles.
This important meeting represents a major step in implementing the Méndez Principles in Africa, setting a standard for other sub-regions to follow.
The Méndez Principles are rooted in ethics, science, and international human rights law. They offer evidence-based techniques designed for gathering reliable evidence from suspects, witnesses, and victims without resorting to coercion.
The meeting was organised with key support from the APT and the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF), with both organisations playing crucial roles in drafting the Méndez Principles. It was funded by the European Union through the United Against Torture Consortium.
