Administrative law, human rights and constitutional law fall under an umbrella called public law. Public law regulates the relationship between the State and individuals. It defines what rights (i.e. the things people are entitled to) individuals have before agencies and government departments and what obligations (i.e. the things people have a duty to do) these public […]
Legal Area
This section of the guide outlines different ways you can enforce your rights and hold the relevant authority responsible for arbitrary detention. These include: (i) Complaints to an independent body such as an “Ombudsman”; (ii) Bringing a civil claim against the police or relevant authority; (iii) Bringing a public law challenge against the police or […]
Legal Area
This section will give you an introduction to the issue of prolonged pre-trial detention, the legal framework and suggest ideas about what you could do if you or someone in your community has been detained for an unduly long time. This is related to the subject of “bail” because the risk of prolonged pre-trial detention […]
Legal Area
This section will give you an introduction to the issue of discriminatory detention without charge, the legal framework and suggest ideas about what you could do if you or someone in your community has been detained discriminatorily.
Legal Area
This section will give you an introduction in the issue of bail, the legal framework and suggest ideas about what you could do if you or someone in your community has been detained without bail.
Legal Area
This section will give you an introduction to the issue of detention without charge, the legal framework and suggest ideas about what you could do if you or someone in your community has been detained with charge.
Legal Area
Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. They are roughly 450 people of 70-plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need. They direct their […]
Resource Bank
AI is an international NGO that specialises in advocacy on behalf of people under arrest and in detention. They campaign and put pressure on governments to redress human rights abuses. They investigate and expose the facts, whenever and wherever abuses happen. They lobby governments, and other powerful groups such as companies. Making sure they keep […]
Resource Bank
The fact sheet provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, mandate and complaints procedures of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. This is the place to start if you are thinking of making a complaint to the Working Group.
Resource Bank
The OHCHR website provides a list of NHRIs in different countries. Use this to identify the relevant NHRI to your circumstances.
Resource Bank
Action4Justice is a group of NGO’s united to support public interest litigation worldwide as a means to advance social justice.
Learn moreWe seek partnerships with organizations and communities worldwide who support our goals. Join our network, or volunteer.
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