On September 10th 2026, the Méndez Centre for Effective and Fair Interviewing (ZEFAB) was officially launched in Freiburg, Germany (see cover photo taken by Philipp Seitz). ZEFAB was founded as a non-profit organisation emerging from the ImpleMéndez network and works across the German-speaking countries.
ZEFAB aims to strengthen effective, fair and human-rights-compliant interviewing by connecting research and practice. Building on the Méndez Principles, the Centre promotes evidence-based approaches through interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer, training, the development of standards and educational materials, and national and international networking.
The launch brought together experts from research, the judiciary, law enforcement, legal practice, psychology and human rights. Video messages were provided by German Federal Minister of Justice Dr. Stefanie Hubig and President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office Holger Münch. Contributors included Prof. Dr. Manfred Nowak, Prof. Dr. Rebecca Milne, Prof. Dr. Lore Mergaerts, Dr. Ivar Fahsing, Gisle Kvanvig, Dr. Ute Hohoff, Prof. Dr. Jens Puschke, Katja Schröder, Dr. Jenny Schell and Prof. Dr. Susanna Niehaus.
Supported by an interdisciplinary advisory board and national and international partners, the Centre contributes to the sustainable implementation of the Méndez Principles in the German-speaking countries.
More information: www.zefab.org or www.linkedin.com/company/zefab/