Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition Allow witnesses to tell their story Victims of human rights violations often feel that they have been neglected, marginalized and forgotten. Sometimes the violations they have suffered will be the cause of stigma and isolation from their communities. Often they will not have had the chance to tell their story to authorities. The interview might be the first opportunity for the person to talk about their experience. Therefore, listening is more important than asking questions. 2. Protection of interviewees When preparing and conducting interviews with victims or witnesses, it is of paramount importance to consider their need for protection and apply the “do no harm” principle. While there can be no complete assurance that the interviewee will not face retaliation or reprisals after the interview, several measures may be taken to protect the person, such as: • interviewing a significant number of people to avoid focusing attention on the one person • conducting the interview in a safe place where surveillance is minimal • asking what security precautions the person believes should be taken at the start and the end of the interview • sharing your contact details with the person and inviting them to keep in contact with you after the interview • in places of detention, conducting a follow-up visit shortly after the interview and meeting with the same detainees • never referring explicitly during the interview to statements made by other persons and never revealing the identity of witnesses • in case of remote interviews, using secure methods of communication and make sure the person is in a safe place. 3. Preparing for an interview Many potential difficulties encountered in interviews can be effectively managed through proper preparation. Developing a pre-interview planning routine will often not require much time and, after a while, can become second nature. When interviewing a victim or a witness of torture or ill-treatment, it is important to follow ethical principles and for the interview to be as predictable as possible. This allows the interviewee to feel empowered. This is particularly important for victims, as torture and ill-treatment often creates strong and persistent feelings of powerlessness. When preparing for the interview, the interviewer should always be conscious of helping to empower the victim and take into consideration the need to avoid revictimization. In this regard, it is important to consider if the person has already been interviewed by others and assess whether it is necessary to make them recount traumatic events. Interviewers should also be prepared in advance to respond appropriately if the persons becomes distressed during the interview. As part of the preparation stage, interviewers should also make sure they have the necessary information at hand if they need to refer the person to specific services. Gender-specific considerations should be integrated since the preparation of the interview. The location If you are carrying out the interview in the office of the NHRI, the surroundings should be as comfortable and welcoming as possible, with a glass of water or a cup of tea or coffee to offer the person. 66