applies to policing. In particular, as a police officer operating within a member state of the Council of Europe, you are bound to adhere to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS No. 5). You will be further guided in your professional practice by the European Code of Police Ethics and other international instruments that directly relate to your work. These include the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (ETS No. 126) and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Officers should also have regard to the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials as well as their own national codes and standards of police behaviour. Knowing these standards and adhering to them will greatly increase your professionalism and effectiveness. Below are some key principles that must inform your work at all times including, of course, while you are interviewing suspects, as this can be a time when individuals are particularly vulnerable. Human rights The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Under Article 3 no one shall be subject to torture or inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment. This will have a direct bearing on how you treat a suspect at all stages of their detention and particularly during questioning. Under Article 5 everyone has the right to liberty and security and when arrested and deprived of such liberty everyone must be informed promptly, in a language that they understand, of the reasons for arrest and of any charge against them. Under Article 14 all forms of discrimination are prohibited and no inequitable treatment can be justified against anyone on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status. United Nations Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment The principles in this document set out, amongst other things, that all detainees should be “treated in a humane manner and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person”. Persons must not be subject to torture or to Professional interviewing ► Page 11