What if our values could build bridges with unlikely audiences?
The Association for the Prevention of Torture used hope-based communications to create effective outcomes for their #SafeInCustody project with government security forces and local civil society actors in Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. By shifting their narrative from adversarial to collaborative, APT was able to foster cooperation and build stronger relationships with all stakeholders. The #SafeInCustody project resulted in many localized projects in all 3 partner countries, including youth engagement projects, documentaries, and even trainings with police forces.
In many countries around the world, torture remains a pervasive problem. Hidden behind the walls of detention centres and prisons, this violation of human rights often goes under the radar, though civil society actors fight to prevent it. Effective torture prevention requires systemic changes in how law enforcement and security forces operate, particularly in their methods of interrogation and detention practices. However, a lack of dialogue and an abundance of tension between state security forces and civil society actors is a barrier to this.
In Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, interactions between police, security forces, and civil society were often tense. The high-tension nature of torture prevention work positioned state actors as adversaries, making productive dialogue difficult. The strained relationships hindered efforts to implement effective and humane interviewing techniques and safeguard the rights of detainees. Traditional forms of advocacy were insufficient, and often exacerbated tensions.
Recognizing the need to bridge these divides and foster a more collaborative environment, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) sought a new approach. APT knew they needed a strategy that could change the dynamics and facilitate dialogue on a greater scale.
With guidance from hope-based communications expert Mika Ortega, co-founder of Wise Owl, APT adopted hope-based communications to shift their narrative from adversarial to collaborative as part of the #SafeInCustody project. This strategic shift enabled APT to engage more effectively with the various stakeholders—from government and security forces to youth in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines—fostering cooperation and advancing their mission.
Nid Satjipanon, Regional Project Manager at the Association for Prevention of Torture, said, “the integration of hope-based communications… helps building bridges and bringing a positive message to the community.”
The #SafeInCustody project aims to prevent forced confessions and incommunicado detention by promoting humane and effective interviewing techniques among police and security forces in the three project countries. Funded by the European Union, the project involves collaboration with civil society partners—SUARAM in Malaysia, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, and the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Thailand. The goal was to create a safer environment for detainees through education, policy advocacy, and the implementation of international best practices.
When infusing their efforts with a hope-based foundation, “we were able to approach the government and security forces as partners working towards the solutions we need, rather than adversaries,” says Mika. “It was very effective,” she recalls. The hope-based approach facilitated this shift in their communication by emphasizing common goals and shared values. By framing the narrative around hope and collaboration, APT and the project partners were able to reduce tension and foster a more cooperative environment.
Mika introduced hope-based communications during a workshop at the #SafeInCustody project partners' meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February 2023. The workshop provided an overview of hope-based communication principles, including effective messaging, storytelling, and social media engagement.
“After the session with Wise Owl, I am convinced that the hope-based communication approach will help us apply a new perspective to look at the issues we want to tackle and mobilise more people to join our effort,” said Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk, Project Officer at CrCF EU, one of the #SafeInCustody partner organizations.
During this workshop and follow-up training sessions, project partners developed communications strategies for their respective #SafeInCustody projects to reframe conversations around torture prevention which they then implemented in their own countries.
"We learned to approach law enforcement not as adversaries, but as partners working toward shared solutions." — Nid Satjipanon, APT Regional Project Manager
Over the course of the several-year project, the APT and their national partners built strong and constructive relationships with law enforcement bodies, government agencies, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations. The partner organizations implemented many incredible projects in their own countries, notably:
SUARAM’s Festival (Malaysia, 2023): A two-day festival in Kuala Lumpur, held in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), featuring plays, public speeches, musicians, and artists, attended by over 200 people.
BASTA Run Against Torture XIII (Philippines, 2023): A public event with over 500 participants, including law enforcement representatives, demonstrating commitment to rejecting torture.
National Roadshow (Thailand, 2023): Organized by CrCF with the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, empowering young people to understand their rights and the state’s obligations under the new anti-torture law.
#SafeInCustody Regional Speech Competition (2023-2024): Six university students from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand competed in Kuala Lumpur after winning their respective national competitions.
#SafeInCustody Schools (Thailand, 2023): Over 200 young people participated in dialogues about their rights in custody and how to build a torture-free society in schools around Thailand, organized with Cross Cultural Foundation of Thailand and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
Other notable results of the project included capacity building workshops for law enforcement on detention safeguards and effective interviewing techniques, as well as other opportunities for young people to learn about their rights and participate in torture prevention advocacy through arts festivals, discussions, and competitions.
The way the project was structured, and the results, was underpinned by hope-based communications, which promotes collaborative action for a shared goal.
According to the APT, “hope-based communications was a good practice that #SafeInCustody partners used to engage diverse audiences, including government, law enforcement agencies, and young people. We developed messages and resources that resonated with individuals from these different backgrounds and provided opportunities for dialogue and exchange on issues related to torture prevention, especially during the first hours of custody.”
Upon the conclusion of the project, the APT has also reported that “much of the success achieved through the Safe in Custody project to engage with stakeholders and inspire commitments for change has been grounded in the effective use of hope-based communications.”
Learn more about #SafeInCustody at the 🔗 APT website
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