A two-day training on interviewing techniques for monitoring visits to places where people are deprived of their liberty was held in Nicosia on 29–30 September 2026, under the joint EU-Council of Europe project “Technical Support for More Effective and Resilient NPM”.

The training strengthened the capacity of Cyprus’ National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to conduct effective, ethical and confidential interviews as part of its monitoring work. Participants explored preparation, building trust with interviewees, documenting and verifying information, and adapting interviewing approaches to different circumstances, with particular attention to people in vulnerable situations, including people with mental health conditions.

The exchange also focused on the importance of protecting confidentiality, including the limited circumstances in which information may need to be disclosed. Participants also discussed the need to follow established procedures and ethical communication with people in detention. Group interviews were discussed as a complementary tool, while stressing that they should not replace individual interviews.

Practical exercises covered police custody and prisons, psychiatric hospitals, social care and migrant facilities, followed by feedback and guidance to further strengthen participants’ interviewing skills.

The project, "Technical support for more effective and resilient National Preventive Mechanisms," was initiated on 12 September 2024. Co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission, the project supports Ireland and Cyprus in developing operational tools, raising awareness, and enhancing the capacity of NPMs.