Addressing risky police practices
The risk of torture and ill-treatment is greatest during the first hours of deprivation of liberty. This can include ill-treatment on arrest or being subject to incommunicado detention. During questioning, police may seek to extract a forced confession to a crime.
Working with national partners in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, the #SafeInCustody project sought to address risky police practices that can lead to torture and ill-treatment.
The project – which ran from March 2021 to August 2024 – was funded by the European Union.
Our objectives
Objective 1: Increase transparency in police custody by strengthening independent oversight
Objective 2: Improve police practices by implementing detention safeguards and non-coercive interviewing
Objective 3: Build public support for torture prevention by increasing knowledge of rights
How we worked
To be effective, torture prevention efforts must be collaborative.
Through #SafeInCustody, the APT and our national partners built strong and constructive relationships with law enforcement bodies, government agencies, national human rights institutions and civil, society organisations. We also engaged with young people in the three countries.
We convened high-level dialogues and engaged in national and regional forums.
We coordinated capacity building workshops for detention monitors.
We delivered awareness raising and training programs for law enforcement on detention safeguards and effective interviewing.
We created opportunities – through arts festivals, discussions, and cartoon, poster and speech competitions – for young people to learn about their rights and have a say on torture prevention.
Our approach was underpinned by hope-based communications, which promotes collaborative action for a shared goal.
Our partners
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines is a national organisation that documents human rights violations, assists victims and their families in their material and legal needs, and conducts human rights education.
SUARAM is a human rights organisation in Malaysia focused on documentation and advocacy related to police reform, deaths in custody, free and fair elections, and freedom of expression.
Cross Cultural Foundation - Thailand supports victims and families of those who have experienced torture, enforced disappearance and ill-treatment.
At regular intervals throughout the project, we brought our partners together to share experiences, promote peer learning and collaboration, and identify synergies to increase our collective impact.
News from #SafeInCustody
Born with dignity, safe in custody: Bernadette Fae Taroc wins APT’s regional speech competition
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
