Statement to the Human Rights Council, March 2014: Revision process of Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners

This oral statement submitted to the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, taking place in Geneva between 3 – 28 March 2014, is a joint statement from PRI, American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales, Conectas, the International Commission of Jurists, and the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care.

It highlights the importance of the ongoing process of Review of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and points out they were adopted in Geneva nearly 60 years ago. The statement details three core reasons why the Standard Minimum Rules need to be updated in order to be consistent with current human rights law and standards and calls on the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the current process. 

More information on PRI’s work on the revision process of this key set of standards.