No prisoner shall be subjected to, and all prisoners shall be protected from, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

We present to your attention a selection of Minimum Standards on freedom from torture and ill-treatment, dedicated to Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on 18 July.

These minimum standards should be taken into account to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness that prisoners are an integral part of society and to recognize the value of the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.

(Adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 70/175 on December 17, 2015).

«Rule 1: All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. No prisoner shall be subjected to, and all prisoners shall be protected from, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, for which no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification. The safety and security of prisoners, staff, service providers and visitors shall be ensured at all times».

The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules)