CAT/OP/ARM/2 46. The Subcommittee recommends that members of the national preventive mechanism explain clearly their mandate, their working methods and their interview practices to the authorities. The Subcommittee is of the opinion that an appropriate and complete presentation to the authorities, especially on the mandate and the objective of the visit, has a didactic effect on the authorities and contributes to the visibility and credibility of the mechanism. In addition, the visiting team should be clearly identified as being part of the mechanism, i.e. its members should wear badges or vests. A leaflet with information could also be provided to the authorities. Interviews 47. The Subcommittee is also concerned that members of the national preventive mechanism have rarely introduced themselves to detainees in an appropriate manner. On numerous occasions, members of the team have introduced themselves as coming from the Human Rights Defender’s Office rather than the mechanism. The key principles of confidentiality and the voluntary nature of the interview have not always been mentioned. The Subcommittee is of the opinion that an appropriate and complete presentation builds trust with the interviewees and facilitates communication and information-sharing. In addition, the members of the visiting team have not always clearly identified themselves as mechanism members or experts. 48. The Subcommittee recommends that members of the national preventive mechanism in charge of interviews introduce themselves to the persons deprived of liberty by stating their name, their profession and the position they occupy within the mechanism. The interviewer should explain the mandate of the mechanism, placing particular emphasis on its preventive nature. He or she should also obtain the consent of the interviewee and make it clear that the interview is confidential, voluntary and can be interrupted at any time at the interviewee’s request. As indicated above, members of the mechanism visiting a place of deprivation of liberty should also be clearly identified. 49. The Subcommittee also recommends that the national preventive mechanism prepare a leaflet describing the mechanism’s mandate and working methods, explaining the concept of informed consent and providing contact information. The leaflet should also inform and encourage interviewees to report any reprisal they might experience after the visit. 50. During its visit to Armenia, the Subcommittee noted that some interviews were done collectively; others took place in the presence of the institution’s staff or in rooms with open doors. Detainees were often treated with condescendence. The interviewers should concentrate on their task and not, for instance, take telephone calls during the visits. On some occasions, members of the national preventive mechanism delegation showed collusion and friendship with facility personnel, which must absolutely be avoided, as such behaviour affects the credibility of the interviews and of the mechanism. 51. As private interviews with persons deprived of their liberty are a basic aspect of the preventive visits, as specifically stated in the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee recommends conducting private individual and unsupervised interviews with detainees and employees of the host institution, as well as with the medical personnel. In addition, the members of the visiting team must concentrate on their tasks and interviewers must be fully focused on the meeting with the detainees; there must be no manifestation of friendship with the staff of the institution visited, nor must any be perceived. Finally, detainees have to be treated with humanity and their private space within the cells should be respected. 8