Children deprived of their liberty from the perspective of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2015, para. 39
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Although the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires States to ensure that detention or imprisonment of children should only be used as a measure of last resort, in exceptional circumstances, for the shortest possible period of time and only if it is in the best interests of the child, in reality, detention is often used as the first response to perceived problems. During his country visits, the Special Rapporteur observed that, although alternative or non-custodial measures are provided by law, in a high percentage of cases, detention is the preferred option and not the last resort (see A/HRC/22/53/Add.3, para. 53).
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment