Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition Chapter 5: Interviewing KEY QUESTIONS • What is the purpose of interviewing a victim or a witness? • How should you prepare for an interview? • What are the key issues to consider when conducting an interview? • What are the specific challenges involved in interviewing victims of trauma? • What are the gender specific considerations related to interviewing? LEGAL BASIS FOR NHRI INVOLVEMENT Paris Principles Methods of operation Within the framework of its operation, the national institution shall: b) Hear any person and obtain any information and any documents necessary for assessing situations falling within its competence Introduction Interviewing a variety of sources is key to gather information. There are a number of different situations where representatives of NHRIs will be required to conduct an interview, including: • as part of a formal or official inquiry • when a person visits the office of the NHRI to file a complaint • during a visit to a place of detention • in the course of field investigation • in a meeting with an official. Preparing for and conducting interviews should always be done with the specific context in mind. Applying all of the following practices may not be possible in every situation; however, the key principles 64