Ralf Alleweldt – författare

This book analyses and evaluates the international efforts to ensure the fair and human treatment of persons in police custody. Respecting the dignity of all detained persons, and in particular preventing torture, is a key issue of international human rights protection. The authors explore various approaches to tackle this issue, including the introduction of investigative, non-coercive interviewing techniques as well as the implementation of fundamental safeguards such as the access to a lawyer and a doctor. Supported by case studies, they describe the special role of national preventive mechanisms and the efforts to improve the treatment of detainees in the context of capacity building activities. Police components of international peace missions face special legal and practical human rights challenges. Authors also ask how the positive potentials and strengths within police organisations could be mobilised for realising human rights, and, last but not least, they seek to assess the prospects of how fair treatment of persons in police custody may be ensured in the future effectively.

This book provides an updated overview of current international human rights law relating to the police.

Around the globe, the police have a special responsibility for the protection of human rights. Police work is governed by national rules and in addition, in today’s world, by the evolving international human rights standards. As a result of the ever-developing case law of international courts and other bodies, the requirements of human rights law on policing have become more and more detailed and complex in recent years.

Bringing together a variety of distinguished authors from academia, police forces and other government authorities, the human rights movement, and international organizations, the book discusses topical issues, including the use of deadly force, the prevention of torture, effective investigations, the protection of personal data, and positive obligations of the police.