The protection of the human rights of persons deprived of liberty

Abstract

The protection of the human rights of persons deprived of their liberty is a fundamental obligation of democratic states and the international human rights system, given that incarcerated individuals are under state custody and in a particularly vulnerable situation. In recent years, various international organizations have pointed out that prisons continue to face serious structural problems related to overcrowding, prison violence, lack of access to healthcare, and poor living conditions situations that directly affect human dignity and limit the effective exercise of fundamental rights. This study employed a documentary research methodology and is explanatory and bibliographic in nature. It reveals that many prison systems suffer from problems such as overcrowding, violence, lack of medical care, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which violate the human rights of the prison population. Faced with this reality, states must implement legal and constitutional mechanisms, as well as comprehensive public policies, aimed at guaranteeing adequate conditions of confinement and effective processes for rehabilitation and social reintegration. In this context, the United Nations emphasizes that every person deprived of their liberty must be treated with respect for their inherent dignity, regardless of the crime committed, guaranteeing humane conditions of detention and protection against any form of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. It concludes that the effective protection of human rights within prisons requires the joint commitment of the State, justice institutions, oversight bodies, and society at large. Only through the implementation of comprehensive public policies, respect for international standards, and the promotion of humane prison systems will it be possible to guarantee the dignity of persons deprived of their liberty and contribute to building a more just, inclusive, and human rights-respecting society.