Torture, coercion and other forms of ill-treatment remain rife in some parts of the world during interviews of criminal suspects in an investigative context, a UN independent expert has said.

Juan Méndez, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, said that many law enforcement officials have been “conditioned to accept torture” as a necessary method to drive criminals to confess.

This could lead to wrongful convictions and the punishment of innocent people instead of bringing justice to the real criminals, he said.

Mr. Méndez, who was a victim of torture during Argentina’s military dictatorship, has dedicated his legal career to the defence of human rights.

Andita Listyarini has been speaking to him about his work to protect human dignity, including those accused of crimes.

Duration: 6’17”