What is the primary goal of abuse prevention in detainee operations?

The primary goal of abuse prevention in detainee operations is to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees. This is fundamentally rooted in the ethical obligation to treat all individuals humanely and with respect regardless of their legal status. Ensuring the safety of detainees means protecting them from physical and psychological harm, which is essential not only for ethical considerations but also for maintaining the integrity of the operations and the personnel involved.

When the safety and well-being of detainees are prioritized, it is possible to create an environment that upholds human rights standards. This environment helps to reduce the potential for abuse, reflecting a commitment to accountability and compliance with international laws and norms. Furthermore, the focus on well-being can lead to better cooperation from detainees, encourage a more effective operational atmosphere, and importantly, contribute to the overall legitimacy of the detaining authority.

In contrast, while maintaining control, establishing trust, and facilitating interrogation processes might seem beneficial in certain contexts, they do not align with the foundational principle of preventing abuse. Control should not come at the expense of safety and dignity, trust arises more freely when detainees feel secure, and interrogation should never justify abusive practices. Each of these factors is secondary to the overarching objective of protecting the welfare of detaine