Pre-trial detention is a high risk situation for torture and ill-treatment. Pre-trial detention increases the risk of a confession being coerced by torture and confession and exposes detainees – still innocent until proven guilty – to violence and abuse from guards or other prisoners. High rates of pre-trial detention contribute to overcrowding, which in turn […]
CCTV can be important safeguard against torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty when used appropriately. However, without policies to regulate it use and proper systems for maintenance and storage, it will not only be ineffective at preventing abuse but can also infringe detainees’ right to privacy and confidentiality. This Factsheet: lists the […]
While a legitimate security measure under certain circumstances, body searches also represent a high-risk situation for abuse, ill-treatment and even torture; they may also be used to intimidate, harass, retaliate or discriminate. This Factsheet: lists the relevant international standards identifies types and situations of risk provides checklists of questions that monitoring bodies can ask for […]
Part of our series of Justice for Children Briefings, this resource explains a child’s right to complain about his or her care, treatment and conditions while deprived of their liberty. Upholding the right to complain is very important for giving a voice to children in detention and for ensuring that their other human rights are […]
This joint NGO briefing provides information on the process of the review of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The review of the UN Standard Minimum Rules was initiated in December 2010 and completed in December 2015 when the revised Rules were adopted by the UN General Assembly – as the Nelson Mandela […]
This short illustrated guide to the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Female Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the ‘Bangkok Rules’) adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010 covers: the profile of women prisoners and why international standards were needed who the Rules protect what the Rules say who should be involved […]
The factsheet outlines why independent external monitoring of places of detention is essential to prevent torture and abuse. It briefly explains the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and lists the crucial elements of detention monitoring.
In December 2012 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems by unanimous consent in Resolution A/RES/67/187. This briefing provides the background and reasons for why this soft law document is needed for ensuring access to justice. It also summaries the content of the Principles […]
Criminalisation of drug users, excessive levels of imprisonment, and punitive sentencing practices, including mandatory sentencing, the death penalty and enforced ‘drug detention centres’, are some of the unintended negative consequences of the 50 year ‘war on drugs’, a policy with direct impact on the vulnerable, poor and socially excluded groups, including ethnic minorities and women. This PRI briefing paper discusses these consequences […]
The minimum age of criminal responsibility set by different countries ranges hugely from as low as six up to 18 years of age. The median age is 12. However, in nearly all countries, children above the age of criminal responsibility can be arrested, detained and imprisoned. This means that children are drawn at an early age into criminal justice systems […]