Does Implementing Mendez Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering Serve Victims of Crime?

Interrogation practices and other forms of information gathering have long been contentious issues in the fields of criminal justice and human rights. Coercive methods have often been used from the past to the present day to effectively investigate and bring perpetrators to justice, keep the community safe, and reduce crime. In turn, this has always, and with increasing force now, given rise to legal problems and ethical concerns. Competent authorities have sought and are still seeking more efficient ways to obtain the information they need to investigate crimes and clarify situations related to human trafficking, refugee flows, migration, etc. With new scientific findings and practices for interviewing and investigating, police officers and other authorities aim to avoid unreliable confessions and establish the truth, respecting the dignity of all persons – accused, suspected, victims, and witnesses. In this regard, a particularly suitable guiding tool is the Principles for the Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering from 2021, also known as Mendez Principles, developed under the auspices of the United Nations and named after their initiator - the human rights activist Juan Ernesto Mendez. Although primarily aiming to eradicate torture and other forms of ill-treatment towards the accused, it could be claimed that the Principles meet victim needs in and outside criminal proceedings. This study aims to examine to what extent and in what form the implementation of these principles best serves the interests of victims and fair justice. JEL Codes: K14, K42, I31 Keywords: Fair justice, ImpleMendez Project, Investigation practices, Mendez Principles, Victims of crime.