A/HRC/RES/31/31
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
21 April 2016
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Thirty-first session
Agenda item 3
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2016
31/31.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment: safeguards to prevent torture during police
custody and pretrial detention
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling all resolutions on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and
the Human Rights Council,
Recognizing that law enforcement officials play a vital role in the protection of the
right to life, liberty and security, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and reaffirmed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
Recognizing also the role of law enforcement officials in serving the community and
protecting all persons against acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, consistent with the important role of their profession, and that, in
the performance of their duty, law enforcement officials are obligated to respect and protect
the human rights of all persons,
Recalling the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Noncustodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) 1 and the adoption of the
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson
Mandela Rules),2
Recalling also that accused juvenile persons shall be separated from adults and
brought as speedily as possible for adjudication,
Recalling further article 11 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, according to which each State party shall
keep under systematic review interrogation rules, instructions, methods and practices, as
well as arrangements for the custody and treatment of persons subjected to any form of
1
2
General Assembly resolution 65/229, annex.
General Assembly resolution 70/175, annex.
GE.16-06509(E)