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Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing

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Framework for effective and fair interviewing

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The Méndez Principles
CreatedMay 2021
PurposeEstablishment of framework for effective investigative interviewing based on human rights and science
Official website
https://interviewingprinciples.com/

The Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, also known as the Méndez Principles, are a set of principles designed to ensure that investigative interviews are conducted in a way that respects human rights while supporting the collection of accurate and reliable information. The principles were published in 2021, and the writing of them was coordinated by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), the Anti-Torture Initiative at American University Washington College of Law, and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. The project was organized by a global steering committee with a drafting group and an advisory council.

The short name Méndez Principles is used in reference to Juan E. Méndez, who co-chaired the steering committee together with Mark Thompson, former secretary-general for the APT. Work on the document took four years and was started after a report submitted by Méndez to the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.[1][2]

The principles are designed as an evidence-based policy and framework for investigative interviewing. They are intended to apply to interviews conducted by law enforcement, intelligence, military, immigration, customs, and related administrative authorities, and cover interactions with suspects, witnesses, victims, and other persons of interest. The stated aim of the principles is to ensure that interviews are conducted in respect of human rights while supporting the collection of accurate and reliable information.[3]: 1–4

Background

Juan E. Mendez of Argentina was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment from 2010 to 2016.[4] Nearing the end of his term in 2016, he filed a report to the UN General Assembly that proposed to work on establishing international standards for investigative interviewing.[1] He then became part of the project to create such standards, co-chairing a steering committee with 15 members together with Mark Thompson. The group was supported by a drafting group of 20 people and an advisory council with 80 members.[5]

The Méndez Principles build on research from disciplines studying interviews, and reflects the observation that research points towards the effectiveness of information-gathering, rapport-based and non-coercive methods of interviewing, rather than interrogation using torture or force.[6][7] The international and general nature of the Méndez Principles can be seen as developed from a growing institutional employment of non-coercive investigative interviewing developed in different countries, and are intended to be informed by science, ethics and law.[8][2]

An institutional partnership between the Association for the Prevention of Torture, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights and the Anti-Torture Initiative at the American University Washington College of Law was formed in 2018 to coordinate the collaboration.[9] Work on the principles took four years and consisted of consulations with relevant stakeholders.[10]

The final draft was approved on 6 May 2021.[11] The document was published 17 May 2021,[9] and a launch event for the document was held on 9 June 2021, opened by Michelle Bachelet, then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.[10][12]

Adoption and support

In 2023, the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) launched the project "ImpleMéndez" to establish networks to implement the principles. COST funds the project, which runs through 2027.[13][14][15]

At the UN General Assembly, a joint statement from 53 countries in support of the principles was delivered in October 2022.[16] The 2024 UN Manual on Investigative Interviewing for Criminal Investigation is designed to outline practical implementation methods of the Méndez Principles. It was created by the UN Department of Peace Operations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.[17][18] Expressions of support have also come from other UN and EU institutions and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).[2]

The Association for the Prevention of Torture has published a list of UN documents that mention the principles.[19] It includes a mention in June 2024 by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice, which cited the Méndez Principles in a judgment addressing coercive interviewing and concerns about confession-driven investigations.[20]

The Ministry of Justice of Poland has translated the Méndez Principles into Polish to promote their accessibility and integration into domestic practice.[21][22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Méndez, Juan E. (August 2016). "UN Docs A/71/298". undocs.org. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Shaeffer, Rebecca; Hinestroza, Veronica; Tait, Sean (2023). "The Méndez Principles". In Oxburgh, Gavin E.; Myklebust, Trond; Fallon, Mark; Hartwig, Maria (eds.). Interviewing and Interrogation: A Review of Research and Practice Since World War II. Brussels: Torkil Opsahl Academic EPublisher. pp. 179–192. ISBN 978-82-8348-201-0.
  3. ^ "Adopted by a Steering Committee of Experts with support from the Anti-Torture Initiative and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights". Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering (PDF) (Report). Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT). May 2021.
  4. ^ "Juan Mendez, former Special rapporteur (2010-2016)". OHCHR. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  5. ^ Barela, Steven J.; Fallon, Mark (1 June 2021). "The Méndez Principles: Leadership to Transform Interrogation via Science, Law, and Ethics". Just Security. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  6. ^ O'Mara, Shane (3 June 2021). "The Méndez Principles: Science Shows Interrogation is Too Serious for Amateurs". Just Security. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  7. ^ Brimbal, Laure; Kleinman, Steven; Oleszkiewicz, Simon; Meissner, Christian (15 June 2021). "The Méndez Principles: Building Rapport and Trust in Interrogations to Elicit Reliable Information". Just Security. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  8. ^ Bull, Ray; Rachlew, Asbjørn; Schollum, Mary (8 June 2021). "The Méndez Principles: Emergence and Global Expansion of Non-Coercive Interviewing". Just Security. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  9. ^ a b Méndez, Juan E.; Drummond, Vanessa (1 June 2021). "The Méndez Principles: A New Standard for Effective Interviewing by Police and Others, While Respecting Human Rights". Just Security. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b Bachelet, Michelle. "On-line global launch event of the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering". Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  11. ^ "The Mendez Principles: solving crime with humane interrogation techniques". OMCT. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  12. ^ Launch of the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering. APT. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via Vimeo.
  13. ^ European Cooperation in Science and Technology, CA22128 - Establishing Networks to Implement the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations (ImpleMéndez).
  14. ^ ImpleMéndez official website.
  15. ^ "ImpleMéndez: Strengthening Ethical and Effective Interviewing Practices Across Borders". University of Oslo. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Third Committee's Interactive Dialogue with UN torture prevention mandate holders, 77th session of the UN General Assembly". 14 October 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. ^ The Faculty of Law Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (November 2023). "Joint United Nations Manual on Investigative Interviewing to Enhance Criminal Investigations validated".
  18. ^ UN Department of Peace Operations, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, The Manual on Investigative Interviewing for Criminal Investigation (February 2024).
  19. ^ Association for the Prevention of Torture, United Nations, regional and national documents/jurisprudence references to the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering (Méndez Principles), 7 June 2025.
  20. ^ Superior Court of Justice (Brazil). 2024 Opinion of Minister Rogério Schietti Cruz. Appeal in Special Review No. 2123334 - MG, Rapporteur: Minister Ribeiro Dantas. Antony José de Souza Rosa vs. Public Prosecutor of the State of Minas Gerais. Brasília. https://scon.stj.jus.br/SCON/GetInteiroTeorDoAcordao?num_registro=202201379825&dt_publicacao=02/07/2024
  21. ^ "Official translation of the Principles on the Polish Ministry of Justice website". Official translation of the Principles on the Polish Ministry of Justice website (in Polish). Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Meeting with representatives of the ImpleMendez Action to promote the Méndez Principles in Poland at the Ministry of Justice". Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości (in Polish). Retrieved 26 July 2025.
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