Investigator engaged in discussions with local militia leader about alleged atrocities in the area. UN / OHCHR Photo mission needs to plan and prepare for interviews, especially in regard to measures to prevent risk of harm to interviewees (see sect. J, Protection of victims, witnesses, sources and other cooperating persons). It is also important to consider who the interviewees are likely to be (men, women, children, elderly, rural, urban) to decide who will conduct interviews with, for example, female witnesses or male survivors of sexual violence, and what additional precautions may be necessary. The commission/mission should also take into consideration the languages interviewees will speak and whether interpretation will be required, and whether additional expertise will be necessary (for example, a forensic medical specialist to examine victims of alleged torture). Additional preparations may be required to interview persons belonging to specific groups or survivors of especially traumatizing human rights violations, including, for example, children, persons with disabilities, survivors of sexual violence, trafficking or torture, indigenous communities and women in a specific cultural, social and religious context. Interviews must be conducted based on best practice human rights methodology. The location needs to be selected so as to afford the interviewee privacy and minimize the risk of harm to the interviewee, and in consultation with the interviewee whenever possible. It is essential that interviews are conducted in private. If not, interviewees may influence each other’s testimony, may be unwilling or unable to disclose confidential information, and there may be risks of retaliation. When private 50 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY AND FACT-FINDING MISSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW