Part II: Preventing torture: NHRIs in action Introduction Providing professional training programmes for public officials is a critical strategy to help prevent torture and ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.97 Training can be particularly effective when a lack of human rights knowledge, skills or attitudes among duty bearers is contributing to a pattern or risk of torture and ill-treatment occurring.98 All personnel involved in the arrest, interviewing and deprivation of liberty of persons should receive training on human rights and, in particular, on the absolute prohibition of torture. NHRIs can play an important role in contributing to the provision of this training by developing training tools and delivering training courses. However, it is important to note that training programmes offered by NHRIs will generally only be useful when there is clear political will to prevent torture and other ill-treatment. The legal and regulatory framework, institutional policy and procedures must reflect and support the human rights principles discussed in the training room. In these cases, training programmes should be integrated into the general work and procedure of the institution, whether it is a police service, prison service, immigration department, psychiatric hospital, social care service or other institution. To achieve the greatest impact, the training programme should have the strong endorsement and support of that institution’s leadership. When torture and other ill-treatment occur at the instigation of an institution’s authorities, or is tolerated by them, training will not be the right approach. It may in fact be counterproductive as it provides an opportunity for the institution’s leadership to publicly promote that they are making efforts to prevent torture. Police officers, prison warders and other public officials may also be hostile to what they view as outside interference in how they do their job. They may resent receiving training from representatives of NHRIs, whom they might consider to be idealists with no practical understanding of the difficulty of their job. A mapping exercise can help NHRIs determine what results training could realistically achieve and whether it is the most appropriate intervention to address torture and other ill-treatment in the specific context. It is therefore important for NHRIs to carefully consider their strategy for the development and delivery of training programmes. In some cases, the NHRI may not be the most appropriate organization to provide training. Instead, it could contribute to the development and revision of curricula and training materials, as well as monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes. 1. Developing and revising training curricula and materials Ensuring that human rights standards and principles are included in training curricula for public officials involved in the arrest, questioning and detention of people deprived of their liberty is an essential preventive measure. According to the Convention against Torture, States parties have a duty to ensure that information on the prohibition and prevention of torture is included in training programmes for law enforcement and other public officials. The Bangkok Rules and the Nelson Mandela Rules also include such obligations. The new Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering also call for States to develop specific training on interviewing techniques.99 97 Human Rights Committee general comment No. 20 , para. 10. 98 From OHCHR, Planning to Impact: A Manual on Human Rights Training Methodology; Professional Training Series No. 6/Rev.1 (revision 2019). 99 See Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, in particular Principles 6 ‘Effective Interviewing is a professional undertaking that requires specific training’. 81