Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

A/RES/67/188No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 103Crime prevention and criminal justice, published in 2013.

What other versions does this mandate have?

3 versions · 2013–2015

This is an older version — the most recent is A/RES/69/192

2015A/RES/69/192Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of PrisonersLatestCompare with previous version
2014A/RES/68/190Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of PrisonersCompare with previous version
2013A/RES/67/188Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

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What subjects does this mandate have?

6 topics

Correctional Systems Prisoner Treatment Prisoners Rules and Regulations Standardization Women

What does this mandate say?

26 operative paragraphs

Expresses appreciation for the replies of Member States to the request to exchange information on best practices and on the revision of existing United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners;

Takes note of the work done by the high-level expert group meeting held in Santo Domingo from 3 to 5 August 2011 and the expert group meeting held in Vienna on 6 and 7 October 2011;

Acknowledges the work done by the open-ended intergovernmental Expert Group on the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which drew on the outcome of the two expert group meetings mentioned above;

Recognizes that the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,Error: Reference source not found adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in 1955 and approved by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and extended by the Council by its resolution 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977, have stood the test of time and that they remain the universally acknowledged minimum standards for the detention of prisoners;

Also recognizes that some areas of the Standard Minimum Rules could be reviewed so that the Rules reflect the latest advances in correctional science and good practices, provided that any changes to the Rules would not lower any existing standards;

Takes cognizance of the recommendations of the Expert Group, and notes that the Expert Group identified the following preliminary areas for possible consideration:

Respect for prisoners’ inherent dignity and value as human beings;

Medical and health services;

Disciplinary action and punishment, including the role of medical staff, solitary confinement and reduction of diet;

Investigation of all deaths in custody, as well as any signs or allegations of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners;

Protection and special needs of vulnerable groups deprived of their liberty, taking into consideration countries in difficult circumstances;

The right of access to legal representation;

Complaints and independent inspection;

The replacement of outdated terminology;

Training of relevant staff to implement the Standard Minimum Rules;

Underscores that the requirements and needs of prisoners with disabilities should be duly considered, as applicable, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Authorizes the Expert Group to continue its work, within its mandate, with a view to reporting on its progress to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its twenty-second session, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the required services and support are provided;

Invites Member States to actively participate in the next meeting of the Expert Group and to have a report prepared summarizing discussions and recommendations, including comments and concerns expressed by government experts and other participants;

Expresses its gratitude to the Government of Argentina for its readiness to host the next meeting of the Expert Group;

Takes note of the work accomplished for the preparation of the conference room paper containing notes and comments on the Standard Minimum Rules, and recommends its early translation into all other official languages of the United Nations, as well as its wide dissemination;

Encourages Member States to promote the implementation of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules);Error: Reference source not found

Recommends that Member States endeavour to reduce overcrowding and pretrial detention, where appropriate, and promote increased access to justice and legal defence mechanisms, reinforcing alternatives to imprisonment, which may include, inter alia, fines, community service, restorative justice and electronic monitoring, as well as supporting rehabilitation and reintegration programmes;

Encourages Member States to continue exchanging good practices, such as those regarding conflict resolution in detention facilities, including in the area of technical assistance, as well as identifying challenges faced in implementing the Standard Minimum Rules and sharing their experiences in dealing with those challenges, and to provide the relevant information to their experts participating in the Expert Group;

Reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to continue to promote the use and application of the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice by, inter alia, providing advisory services and technical assistance to Member States on request, including assistance in criminal justice and law reform, and in the organization of training for law enforcement and criminal justice personnel and support in the administration and management of penal and penitentiary systems, thus contributing to the upgrading of their efficiency and capabilities;

Reaffirms the important role of the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme network, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council in contributing to the dissemination, promotion and practical application of the Standard Minimum Rules, in accordance with the procedures for the effective implementation of the Rules;

Invites Member States and other donors to provide extrabudgetary resources for these purposes, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the United Nations.

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